Volume 12: Livestock Farming
Annex 2: The process for notification of BSE on farm

1 Since 21 June 1988, when BSE was made notifiable under the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Order 1988 (the Order), ¹ if farmers suspect BSE has caused ill health or death of any of their livestock, they or their veterinary surgeons are required to report it to the Divisional Veterinary Officer (DVO) at the local MAFF Animal Health Office. If the animal dies, farmers should make the carcass available to be examined by post-mortem. ²

2 Following notification, a Veterinary Officer (VO) from the Animal Health Office visits the farm to carry out a clinical examination of the suspect animal. If the VO suspects the animal is affected by BSE, he or she serves a restriction notice (Form A), preventing movement of the suspect animal from the farm. ³ Under the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (No. 2) Order 1988, ⁴ which came into effect in December 1988, if the cow is producing milk, this may not be sold for human consumption, and cannot be fed to another animal apart from the suspect's own calf. While under a Form A notice, the animal and its treatment remain the responsibility of the farmer. The farmer is required to inform the DVO immediately if the animal to which it relates dies, or is slaughtered on the farm while a Form A notice is in force.

3 Unless a notice is served under article 6 of the Order, the movement of other animals on the farm is not affected, and farmers are not required to isolate the Form A animal unless it is calving and for 72 hours after calving. In these circumstances the farmer must seek prior approval of isolation facilities from the VO to minimise traumatic injury to the affected animal while confined. After the animal has been released from isolation, the farmer is required to cleanse and disinfect the accommodation thoroughly. ⁵

4 If at any time the VO is able to eliminate BSE as a cause of the animal's symptoms, restrictions are lifted by the serving of Form B. ⁶

5 The slaughter and compensation policy was implemented on 8 August 1988. ⁷ Accordingly, if after follow-up visits the VO believes that the Form A animal is affected by BSE, he or she will serve a Form C notice of intention to slaughter, and then arrange for slaughter and disposal as soon as possible, at MAFF's expense. ⁸ If a Form C notice has not been served on a restricted animal, the farmer may obtain permission from the DVO to have the animal slaughtered on the farm, but the carcass must still be disposed of by MAFF and cannot be sold. It is an offenceto slaughter and dispose of the animal without permission.

6 The VO usually slaughters suspect cases by administration of a lethal dose of barbiturate, and arranges for a contractor to remove the carcass to an authorised incineration plant where the head is removed, and delivered to a VIC, and the remainder of the carcass incinerated. ⁹

7 If an animal is slaughtered after the serving of a Form C notice, in order to obtain compensation it is important that farmers follow the correct procedures. After being given a Form C, a farmer is automatically entitled to compensation. ¹⁰ If the animal requires slaughtering urgently on welfare grounds before the VO confirms BSE, or dies or is slaughtered before the serving of Form C, compensation is not guaranteed. This system therefore provides a strong incentive to report suspected BSE cases quickly, so that Form C is obtained before the animal dies.