A case of mad cow disease has been confirmed on a farm in Essex, government officials announced today.
The animal, which tested positive for the atypical strain of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), was humanely culled on-site and did not enter the food chain, according to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).
“No risk to public health,” says UK Chief Veterinary Officer
Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss confirmed the case was identified during routine surveillance. “Atypical BSE is distinct from classical BSE — it occurs spontaneously and is not contagious,” she said. “This case highlights the effectiveness of our monitoring systems.”
What is Atypical BSE?
Unlike classical BSE — the cause of the infamous 1990s epidemic — atypical BSE is considered sporadic and rare, often appearing in older cattle without a clear link to contaminated feed.
During the height of the classical BSE crisis in the UK, over 184,000 cows were infected, and millions culled to protect the food chain. Strict animal feed controls and slaughterhouse safety procedures were put in place following the outbreak.
Food Standards Agency Responds
Dr James Cooper, Deputy Director of Food Policy at the Food Standards Agency (FSA), reassured the public that “there is no food safety risk.” He emphasised that veterinary inspections at abattoirs and feed controls remain in force.
“Consumers can be reassured that the controls to prevent BSE transmission are robust and rigorously enforced.”
A Look Back: The UK’s BSE Crisis
- First identified in 1986
- Peaked in 1993 with 1,000 new cases a week
- Led to 4.4 million cattle culled
- Prompted sweeping changes in food safety legislation
- Linked to vCJD, a fatal brain disease in humans in rare cases
Local Impact and Next Steps
The specific Essex farm has not been named. Authorities continue to investigate the case, but no movement bans or wider restrictions have been announced. The incident is not expected to affect food exports or domestic meat supply.
