SCOTLAND has achieved the lowest risk level status available for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, it was announced today.

Notification of Scotland and Northern Ireland's risk classification upgrade to 'negligible' risk status – the safest level available anywhere in the world – was confirmed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in Paris.

The move is expected to help open international market access for beef exports from Scotland and NI. England and Wales, however, continue to be recognised as having 'controlled' risk BSE status.

Scottish Rural Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “This is a significant achievement that has been many years in the making. Scotland has had no cases of BSE since 2009 and this announcement is testament to many peoples' tireless efforts, including the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers, our beef producers and finishers, our red meat businesses, vets, and this government. We have all worked together to maintain a system of interlocking safeguards against BSE that protects our public and animal health.

“With Scotland already being recognised as officially TB-free, this decision further vindicates our reputation for supplying beef products of the highest quality, produced to the highest standards in the world, and demonstrates the OIE’s acceptance that both our surveillance for, and measures against BSE are stringent," said Mr Ewing.

“Having achieved negligible risk status, Scotland has an even stronger foundation to continue to increase Scottish beef exports across the world.”

SAMW president Frank Clark said: “Scotland has lived with BSE since 1986 and the farming and meat industries have made massive efforts to manage and eradicate the disease. Today’s decision frees our industry to make full commercial use of Scotland’s high-health status on behalf of producers, processors and wholesalers, opening the door to fresh marketing opportunities around the world.

"Once the campaign began, the Cabinet Secretary, his officials and all Scotland’s food and farm bodies worked together to deliver today’s decision, which is of such great importance to the whole industry.”

It was actually at last year's Royal Highland Show that the Scottish Government announced that it would be applying to the OIE for Negligible Risk status, with the official application then lodged on October 14, 2016.

NFU Scotland’s livestock committee chairman Charlie Adam  commented: “NFU Scotland fully supported Scottish Government in its efforts to secure BSE negligible risk status and we are delighted that the World Organisation for Animal Health has officially recognised the BSE negligible risk status of Scotland.

“Achieving this status prior to Brexit secures the high-quality reputation of Scottish beef that is produced under the highest health standards.  This reputation will be key to securing access to new and key markets, as we look to find new customers for Scottish produce going forward.

“This announcement is a significant step forwards in driving the demand for quality Scottish beef, removing trade barriers and giving us greater potential for access to export markets.”

Welcoming the announcement on behalf of Northern Ireland, its Chief Veterinary Officer Robert Huey noted that there had been no cases of BSE since 2012: “The move to negligible risk status will help improve the global image of Northern Ireland as a disease-free area and could assist in opening up access to new markets across the world for our premium exports.”

CEO of the Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association, Conall Donnelly, added: “This is a strong endorsement of the health standards of the Northern Ireland herd. This will pay dividends in terms of our international reputation and will be a significant factor in helping to further develop our access to global markets.

“As an industry we will be seeking to work closely with government to capitalise on Negligible Risk Status and ensure the greatest possible benefit.”