Over €3m has been spent on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) testing in knackeries since 2014. Fallen animals are tested for BSE in knackeries, with just two cases have been discovered over the last five years.

The information came to light in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill.

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed informed deputy Cahill that one case of BSE was discovered in both 2015 and 2017.

BSE cases

“In 2015, a case of classical BSE was confirmed following an official sampling of a fallen animal aged 48 months and older. This sampling is one element of a comprehensive multi-layered control programme which is systematically applied in Ireland,” Minister Creed said.

“The same control system enabled my Department, in 2017, to confirm a case of atypical BSE in an 18-year-old cow, also through its surveillance of fallen animals at knackeries.”