Volume 9: Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Part 3: Northern Ireland
15. Chronological account of specific Northern Ireland issues

15.1 Because of its geographical and historical differences, Northern Ireland traditionally had considerable autonomy in animal health matters, including having a different 'status' for some diseases. ¹ It also had its own close-knit nexus of Departments which in some cases operated at first hand with agriculture and industry, and performed functions that were carried out elsewhere in the UK by local authorities. It was not surprising therefore that, before BSE spread to Northern Ireland, consideration was given to going a different way from the rest of the United Kingdom, in particular in the banning of meat and bone meal. Later, as its sales abroad were threatened, Northern Ireland sought a separate status for its cattle and beef for export purposes.

15.2 This chronological account does not cover every stage of action in response to BSE but looks at specific parts in the story where Northern Ireland considered, or took, independent actions. It also reviews how far Northern Ireland was kept in touch and consulted about the disease, and the extent to which delays in bringing in safety measures introduced elsewhere in the UK were justifiable.

15.3 The incidence of BSE remained low in Northern Ireland in comparison with the rest of the United Kingdom. During the period covered by the Report, Northern Ireland had a total of 1,710 cases, of which 1,062 were home-bred animals and 648 were purchased from elsewhere. Just 4 per cent of herds were affected by March 1996, compared with nearly 36 per cent in Great Britain. The incidence of BSE peaked in 1993, when 460 cases were confirmed, ² the same year as the peak in Scotland but a year later than in England and Wales. (See paragraphs 1.3-1.4 for some epidemiological comparisons with England, Wales and Scotland.)

15.4 One of the earliest confirmed cases of vCJD was in a man from Belfast, who died in November 1995.