##################### Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy #####################
Subject: BSE monitoring in bovine animals EU Jan 1 to June 6 2006 COMPARED to USA (how not to find BSE)
Date: July 23, 2006 at 6:52 am PST
BSE monitoring in bovine animals EU Jan 1 to June 6 2006 COMPARED to USA (how not to find BSE)
BSE monitoring in bovine animals EU Jan 1 to June 6 2006
Total positives :
Austria 2
Belgium 0
Cyprus 0
Czech Repulic 1
Denmark 0
Estonia 0
Finland 0
France 1
Germany 17
Hungary 0
Ireland 25
Italy 3
Latvia 0
Lithuania 0
Luxemburg 0
Malta 0
Portugal 14
Slovakia 0
Slovenia 0
Spain 17
Sweden 0
United Kingdom 75
TOTAL EU 155
http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/bse/bse_6evol6-06_en.pdf
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COMPARING APPLES TO ORANGES I.E. USA TESTING FIGURES FOR BSE TO CATTLE RATIO
before June 2004 Enhanced BSE surveillance, during June 2004 Enhanced BSE cover-up, and
AFTER, which was proposed this week to be around 40,000 annually from here on out, in a cattle
population for USA of about 100 million every year.
THEN COMPARE TO E.U. COUNTRIES TESTING FIGURES FOR BSE TO CATTLE RATIO.
PLEASE note besides the total tests *** country, I have added total cattle population along
with some additional information on some countries below. While you are analyzing the additional
information, check out some of the imports to USA from documented BSE countries and please note,
among other things, the infamous, non-species coding system for feed, mbm, and such.
Seems those USA BSE triple firewalls have been seeping all along.
AFTER analyzing for yourself, then ask yourself, who is fooling whom? ...TSS
USA TOTAL CATTLE POPULATION
livestock (million): cattle: 98
http://www.library.uu.nl/wesp/populstat/Americas/usag.htm
The total cattle population of the European Union in 2002 was 78.3 million animals.
http://www.eds-destatis.de/en/downloads/sif/nn_04_08.pdf
Total tests :
*** Austria 86 642
http://www.idexx.com/production/livestockpoultrynews/200602.jsp
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Austria
Impact Worksheet, December 18, 2001
Summary: The first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Austria was confirmed on December 13, 2001. The six-year old cow presented no clinical signs and was detected through routine BSE surveillance at slaughter. In 1990, Austria had banned feeding of meat-and-bone meal to cattle and sheep. In January 2001, Austria began testing all slaughter cattle over 30 months of age for BSE.
Austria had almost 2.2 million cattle in 2001 and accounted for 1.6 percent of the world’s live cattle exports in 1999. Most of the live cattle exports in 1999 went to Italy and Germany. Austria accounted for 1.1 percent of the world’s beef and veal exports in 1999. In rank order, destination countries were Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, and Belgium. Austria also exports about 34,000 metric tons of meat-and-bone meal annually, primarily to the Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, and Germany.
In December 1997, APHIS prohibited the importation of live ruminants and most ruminant products from all of Europe including Austria. In December 2000, import restrictions regarding BSE were expanded by prohibiting all imports of rendered animal protein products, regardless of species, from Europe. Between 1998 and June 2001, US imports from Austria included goat meat, animal feeds, and sausage. The sausage and animals feeds were from unspecified species.
How extensive is the outbreak of BSE in Austria, and what was Austria’s disease status prior to the outbreak?
The first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Austria was confirmed on December 13, 2001. The six-year old cow presented no clinical signs and was detected through routine BSE surveillance at slaughter. The animal was from a 60-cattle beef and dairy operation in the district of Gmünd in northeastern Austria. Both the affected operation and the slaughterhouse have been shut down pending further testing on the other cattle, feeds, and milk replacer. Possible causes speculated for the BSE transmission include imported meat-and-bone meal that was illegally fed to cattle, or imported calf milk replacer that had beef tallow as an ingredient.
Source: OIE Disease Information Report; Reuters, Dec 14, 2001; USDA-FAS Gain Report #AU1033, Dec 12, 2001.
What is Austria’s production and trade in affected animals and animal products?
Austria has almost 2.2 million cattle in 2001 and accounted for 1.6 percent of world cattle exports in 1999. Stocks of sheep and goats and trade in these animals were generally less than 0.1 percent of global stocks.
Almost 90 percent of the live cattle imports in 1999 came from Germany. USDA-FAS also reported that Austria imported 234 live cattle from the UK between 1988 and 1990, and 253 cattle from the Netherlands between 1993 and 1997. Most of the live cattle exports in 1999 went to Italy and Germany, with lesser numbers going to Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Croatia.
Table 1. Austria’s live animal stocks (2001) and imports and exports of live animals (1999).
Live Animal
Year 2001 Stocks
1999 Trade
1999 Exports
1999 Imports
Head
% World
Head
% World
Head
% World
Cattle
2,155,447
0.2
146,890
1.6
25,245
0.3
Sheep
357,888
<0.1
18,597
0.1
100
<0.1
Goats
69,618
<0.1
1,807
<0.1
94
<0.1
Source: United Nations FAO
Austria accounted for 1.1 percent of world beef and veal exports in 1999. In rank order, destination countries were Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, and Belgium. Austria also exports about 34,000 metric tons of meat-and-bone meal annually, primarily to the Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, and Germany. Austrian imports of beef and veal in 1999 came primarily from Germany and the Netherlands. In 1997 and 1998, Austria also imported meat-and-bone meal for non-ruminant feed, mainly from Germany.
Table 2. Production (2001) and trade (1999) in relevant products by Austria.
Products
Year 2000 Production
1999 Trade
1999 Exports
1999 Imports
Metric ton
% World
Metric ton
% World
Metric ton
% World
Beef and veal
216,700
0.4
77,205
1.1
19,694
0.3
Mutton and lamb 1
7,200
<0.1
60
<0.1
1,950
0.2
Goat meat 1
580
<0.1
4
<0.1
7
<0.1
Source: United Nations FAO
1 Sheep and goats were included in Table 1 and Table 2 as ‘affected’ animals because USDA/APHIS includes all ruminants and ruminant products in its restrictions pertaining to BSE.
Source: United Nations FAO; USDA-FAS Gain Report #AU0031, Aug 10, 2000; USDA-FAS Gain Report #AU1033, Dec 10, 2001
Has Austria taken any precautions in regard to BSE?
Austria had banned feeding of meat-and-bone meal to cattle and sheep in 1990. Additional laws pertaining to processed mammalian proteins (PMP) were enacted in January 2001, including a ban on feeding PMP to animals used for food production, and a ban on the marketing and import of PMP intended for livestock. Austria began testing all slaughter cattle over 30 months of age in January 2001.
Source: USDA-FAS Gain Report #AU1001, Feb 1, 2001; Reuters, Dec 14, 2001
What are the US imports of affected animals or animal products from Austria?
Between 1998 and June 2001, US imports from Austria included goat meat, animal feeds, and sausage. The sausage and animals feeds were from unspecified species.
Source: World Trade Atlas
Table 3. Relevant US imports from Austria in 1998, 1999, 2000, and Jan-Jun 2001
HS Code
Description
Unit
1998
1999
2000
2001 (Jan-Jun)
Feed - non species specific
2309909500
Preparations Used in Animal Feedings, NESOI
KG 0 0 0 1,000
Meat & offal - ruminant
020450
Goat Fresh, Frozen
KG 0 656 0 0
Meat & offal - non species specific
1601006080
Sausage/Smlr Prdct Meat Etc NESOI Food Prep Nt Cnd
KG 514 0 0 12,154
Source: World Trade Atlas
Did the US have restrictions on ruminant imports from Austria prior to this case?
In December 1997, APHIS prohibited the importation of live ruminants and most ruminant products from all of Europe including Austria until a thorough assessment of the risks of introduction of BSE into the US could be made. Prior to December 1997, import restrictions were applied only to those countries which had reported cases of BSE in native animals. Also, importation of ruminant meat from BSE-affected countries was permitted if the meat was deboned and free of visually identifiable lymphatic and nervous tissue and if it met other restrictions. Import regulations enacted December 1997 extended the import restrictions to countries which had not had a declared BSE case, yet had risk factors for BSE occurrence.
These regulatory changes also removed provisions that allowed importation of ruminant meat from the restricted countries, and thereby prohibited importation of ruminant meat from all Europe. These import restrictions also applied to bone meal, blood meal, meat meal, offal, fat, glands, and serum from ruminants. In December 2000, APHIS expanded its import restrictions regarding BSE by prohibiting all imports from Europe of rendered animal protein products, regardless of species.
Source: USDA, APHIS, VS
What is the level of passenger traffic arriving in the United States from Austria?
A total of 168,598 passengers on direct flights from Austria arrived at US airports in fiscal year 2000. An undetermined number of passengers from Austria arrived in the US via indirect flights.
Under APHIS-PPQ’s agricultural quarantine inspection monitoring, 565 air passengers from Austria were sampled for items of agricultural interest in fiscal year 2000. Ten (10) of these passengers, or 1.7 percent, carried a total of 23 kg meat (non-pork) items that could potentially harbor the pathogen(s) that cause BSE. None of these passengers from whom meat items were confiscated reported plans to visit or work on a ranch or farm during their visit to the US.
Source: US Dept. of Transportation; APHIS-PPQ
CEI’s plans for follow up:
Currently, CEI has no plans for supplemental reporting of this outbreak of BSE in Austria. If you need more information or if you want to comment on this worksheet, you may reply to this message, or contact David Cummings at (970) 490-7895 or Chris Kopral at (970) 490-7819.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/taf/iw_2001_files/foreign/bse_austria1201.htm
*** Belgium 155 307
Belgium is a country with about ten million
inhabitants and approximately 3,000,000
cattle, 188,000 sheep, 39,000 goats and
15,000 deer
snip...
In Belgium, GBR class III, the rapid BSE
Bio-Rad Platelia ELISA test (recently replaced by
Bio-Rad TeSeE test) is performed in 18 private
laboratories under the supervision of the VAR as
National Reference Laboratory. All samples with
doubtful or positive test results have to be further
analysed in the VAR, to confirm the BSE diagnosis
using the above-mentioned three reference tests and
a Western Blot. In total to date, 118 cases have been
detected in Belgium.
snip...
Figure 1: Geographical distribution of the BSE cases in
Belgium (1997-2003)
http://www.russellpublishing.com/newfood/nf10436.pdf
*** Cyprus 3 455
Report on the assessment of the Geographical BSE-risk of CYPRUS April 2003
- 1 -
Final report on the
updated assessment of the
Geographical BSE-Risk
(GBR) of
THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS - 2003
10 April 2003
snip...
Cattle population structure
§ According to the CD, the total cattle population of the Republic of Cyprus in 1999
was 54,023 heads .........snip
5. CONCLUSION ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL BSE-RISK
5.1 The current GBR as function of the past stability and challenge
· The current geographical BSE-risk (GBR) level is III, i.e. it is likely but not
confirmed that domestic cattle are (clinically or pre-clinically) infected with the
BSE-agent. ...snip...end
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/ssc/out345_en.pdf
*** Czech Republic 74 472
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Czech Republic
Impact Worksheet, June 14, 2001
Summary: The Czech Republic confirmed on June 8, 2001 the first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a native-born cow. This is the first confirmed case of BSE in a native-born animal outside of western Europe.
The Czech Republic has less than 1% of world cattle stocks, and less than 0.1% of sheep and goats. The country’s exports of beef and veal accounted for less than 0.1% of world beef and veal exports in 1999 and are negligible in terms of world trade in these products. In 2001, the Czech Republic exported beef and live cattle to Austria, Germany, France, Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, and Russia.
In December 1997, the USDA, APHIS enacted regulations which prohibited the importation of live ruminants and ruminant meat from Europe, including the Czech Republic. These import restrictions also applied to bone meal, blood meal, meat meal, offal, fat, glands, and serum from ruminants. In December 2000, APHIS expanded its import restrictions regarding BSE by prohibiting all imports of rendered animal protein products, regardless of species, from Europe.
How extensive is the situation in the affected country and what was the country’s disease status prior to the outbreak?
On June 8, 2001 the Czech Republic reported to the OIE the first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a native-born cow. The initial two positive tests in the Czech Republic were subsequently confirmed on June 14, 2001 by the German BSE Reference Center. This confirmation of BSE is the first confirmed occurrence of BSE in a native-born animal outside of western Europe.
The six year old cow with clinical signs of BSE came from a breeding herd of 138 cows owned by a cooperative farm. No other animals on the farm showed clinical signs of BSE. As a result of the current case, all susceptible animals in the herd will be destroyed and tested. In addition, the Czech government will extend BSE testing to all slaughtered bovine animals older than 30 months. Before this case, the Czech government had randomly tested around 11 thousand slaughtered bovines this year, all with negative results.
The source of the infectious agent is not yet known. The Czech government banned feeding all meat-and-bone meal to cattle in 1991. However, the Czech government has initiated an investigation to determine if the contamination could have happened through feeding of imported milk feed substitutes in which milk fat was replaced by rendering-plant fat.
In April 2001 the European Commission listed the Czech Republic as a Category III country "likely to present a BSE risk", based on assessments of the amount of live cattle and feed of animal origin imported into countries in question. Other countries listed in the same category were Poland, Hungary, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Cyprus, and Switzerland.
Source: OIE; Reuters; ProMED
What is the country’s production and trade in affected animals and animal products?
The Czech Republic has less than 0.2% of the world cattle stocks. In 1999 live cattle exports accounted for less than 0.6% of world cattle exports (Table A). No official data are available pertinent to the destination of exported cattle for that time period. However, recent news reports stated that this year the Czech Republic exported beef and live cattle to Austria, Germany, France, Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, and Russia. Production and trade in live sheep and goats are very small, making up less than 0.1% of world production and trade in these animals.
Table A: Stocks and Trade in Live Animals, Czech Republic
Live Animal
2000 Stocks
Trade
1999 Exports
1999 Imports
Head
% World
Head
% World
Head
% World
Cattle
1,573,530
<0.2%
53,880
<0.6%
13,228
<0.2%
Sheep
84,108
<0.1%
791
<0.1%
93
<0.1%
Goats
31,988
<0.1%
115
<0.1%
21
<0.1%
The Czech Republic’s exports of beef and veal accounted for less than 0.1% of world beef and veal exports in 1999 and are negligible in terms of world trade in these products (Table B). In addition, no mutton, lamb, or goat meats were exported in 1999.
Table B: Production and Trade in Relevant Products, Czech Republic
Products
2000 Production, provisional
Trade
1998 Exports
1998 Imports
Metric
ton
% World
Metric ton
% World
Metric ton
% World
Beef and veal
110,261
<0.2%
2,249
<0.1%
3,325
<0.1%
Mutton and lamb
2,950
<0.1%
0
0.0%
179
<0.1%
Goat meat
290
<0.1%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
Note: Sheep and goats were included here as ‘affected’ animals because APHIS has included all ruminants and ruminant products in restrictions pertaining to BSE.
Sources: UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Reuters.
Did the US have restrictions on ruminant imports from the Czech Republic prior to the current case?
In December 1997, APHIS prohibited the importation of live ruminants and most ruminant products from all of Europe including the Czech Republic until a thorough assessment of the risks of introduction of BSE into the US could be made. Prior to December 1997, import restrictions were applied only to those countries which had reported cases of BSE in native animals. In addition, the importation of ruminant meat from BSE-affected countries was permitted if the meat was deboned and free of visually identifiable lymphatic and nervous tissue and if it met other restrictions. The import regulations enacted in December 1997 extended the import restrictions to countries that had not had a declared case of BSE, yet had risk factors for the occurrence of BSE.
These regulatory changes also removed the provisions which allowed the importation of ruminant meat from the restricted countries, essentially prohibiting the importation of ruminant meat from all of Europe. These import restrictions also applied to bone meal, blood meal, meat meal, offal, fat, glands, and serum from ruminants. Additionally, in December 2000, APHIS expanded its import restrictions regarding BSE by prohibiting all imports of rendered animal protein products, regardless of species, from Europe.
Source: USDA, APHIS, VS
What are the US imports of affected animals or animal products from the country?
In accordance with the 1997 ban on the importation of live ruminants and most ruminant products including meat from Europe, the World Trade Atlas data show no such imports from the Czech Republic in 2000 or January - March 2001. The Czech Republic has two meat processing establishments approved to ship pork products to the US. However, according to available data, during 2000 and January - March 2001 no product from these plants was exported to the US.
The US imports some dairy products such as butter and cheese from the Czech Republic. These products are unlikely sources of BSE.
Source: World Trade Atlas; USDA, APHIS, VS; USDA, FSIS.
What is the level of passenger traffic arriving in the United States from the affected country?
A total of 45,438 passengers arrived in the US on direct flights from the Czech Republic in fiscal year 2000. It is likely that additional passengers originating in the Czech Republic traveled to the US on non-direct flights.
As part of APHIS-PPQ’s Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Monitoring, 238 air passengers from the Czech Republic were inspected for items of agricultural interest in fiscal year 2000. Of these, 10, or 4.2%, were found to be carrying a total of 17 kg of items that could potentially present a risk for BSE. None of the passengers with items reported plans to visit or work on a farm or ranch while in the US.
Source: US Department of Transportation, and APHIS-PPQ Agricultural Quarantine Inspection data base
CEI’s plans for follow-up:
CEI has no further plans regarding this case. However, if you seek more information or wish to comment on this worksheet, please reply to this message or contact Milo Muller at (970) 490-7844 or Chris Kopral at (970) 490-7819.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/taf/iw_2001_files/foreign/bse_cz0601.htm
*** Denmark 78 682
BSE in Denmark, March 2000
Short Report
On February 28, 2000, Denmark confirmed its first case of BSE in a native born cow. In 1992, Denmark had one case of BSE in a cow imported from the UK. CEI does not plan to complete an Impact Worksheet on the current situation as the risk to the US from Denmark's BSE case is negligible.
Importation of live ruminants and most ruminant products including meat and meat products has been banned from Denmark since December 12, 1997.
No live ruminants have been imported into the US from Denmark since 1994 as recorded in the US Department of Commerce's trade data.
Quantities of guts, bladders and stomachs of animals (not hogs or fish) prepared for use as sausage casings were imported into the US during the years 1999 - 1994 as reported in the US Department of Commerce's trade data. Also reported is the importation of guts, bladders and stomachs of animals (not fish) not prepared for use as sausage casings during the years 1999 - 1997 and 1995. Importation of stomachs from countries with cases of BSE is allowed under current requirements as this product is not considered to be of risk. In addition, National Center for Import and Export staff reports that companies in Denmark consolidate and store shipments of casing materials (guts, bladders and stomachs) from other countries, then export these materials. This storage and transit of products is allowed because the product is not coming from a country at risk for BSE, yet the trade data would show the product as coming from Denmark.
Bones (crude, steamed or ground) have been imported from Denmark during the years 1998 - 1994. This listing is not species specific and therefore is probably bones from non-ruminant animals.
Prior to the December 1997 ban, small amounts (approximately 200 kg) of beef were imported into the US from Denmark in 1997 and in 1996. And in 1994, almost 24,000 kg of beef were imported.
US Imports from Denmark, 1999 - 1994
Quantities (kg)
Item
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
Meat of bovine animals, cuts with bone in, except processed, NESOI, frozen 0202208000
220
Meat of bovine animals NESOI cuts with bone in processed 0202203000
204
Meat of bovine animals, boneless, except processed, frozen 0202306000
19,522
Meat of bovine animals, cuts with bone in, except processed, fresh or chilled 0201206000
693
Meat of bovine animals, boneless, except processed, fresh or chilled, 0201306000
629
Beef cuts, high-quality, with bone in, processed, frozen 0202202000
2,790
Guts, bladders and stomachs of animals except hog and fish, whole and pieces, prepared for use as sausage casings 0504000040
11,200
6,455
194,981
218,844
395,652
283,681
Guts, bladders and stomachs of animals (other than fish), whole and pieces thereof, not prepared for use as sausage casings 0504000060
312,187
238,000
2,400
1,680
Bones, crude, steamed or ground 0506900020
18,925
1,000
4,000
29,075
22,300
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/taf/iw_2000_files/foreign/bsedenmark.htm
*** Estonia 12 918
Beef production. The number of cattle has gradually fallen in Estonia. As of the end of 2000, the number of cattle was 243,800, which is nearly 10 percent less than last year. As the number of dairy cattle decreased and beef production depends on the number of cows, beef production decreased to 14,400 t in 2000. ...
http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Counprof/Estonia/estonia.htm#4.%20RUMINANT%20LIVESTOCK%20PRODUCTION%20SYSTEMS
Scientific Steering Committee April 2003
Opinion of the
Scientific Steering Committee
on the
GEOGRAPHICAL RISK OF
BOVINE SPONGIFORM
ENCEPHALOPATHY (GBR) in
Estonia
adopted by the SSC on 10 April 2003
snip...
CONCLUSION ON THE CURRENT GBR
The BSE-agent may have reached the territory of Estonia before its independence in 1991. After
1995 significant amounts of MBM were imported from BSE risk countries. A significant risk that
BSE infectivity entered processing therefore exists since some years, at the latest since 2000, when
domestic cattle potentially exposed to contaminated imported MBM around 1995, could have
entered processing while approaching the end of the incubation period. Given the instability of the
system, this could have lead to BSE cases.
It is concluded that it is likely but not confirmed that domestic cattle are (clinically or pre-clinically)
infected with the BSE-agent (GBR III).
EXPECTED DEVELOPMENT OF THE GBR
As long as the system remains unstable, the probability of cattle to be (pre-clinically or clinically)
infected with the BSE-agent will further increase, even if no additional external challenges occur.
snip...
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/ssc/out335_en.pdf
*** Finland 58 668
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Finland,
Impact Worksheet, December 13, 2001
Summary: The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Helsinki reported to the OIE Finland’s first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on December 7, 2001. The disease was detected in a dairy cow born in 1995 in Finland. No meat-and-bone meal had reportedly been used in the herd for more than 20 years.
Finland had less than one percent of the world’s cattle, sheep, and goat stocks in 2000 and produced less than one percent of the world’s total beef and veal, mutton and lamb, and goat meat. Live cattle, sheep, and goat exports from Finland were less than 1.0 percent of the world’s trade in these animals during 1999. Likewise, Finland exported less than one percent of the world’s total exports of these products during 1999.
In December 1997, APHIS prohibited the importation of live ruminants and most ruminant products from all of Europe including Finland. In December 2000, import restrictions regarding BSE were expanded by prohibiting all imports of rendered animal protein products, regardless of species, from Europe. Some offal (animal species not specified) was imported into the US from Finland in 1998 and 2000.
How extensive is the outbreak of BSE in Finland, and what was Finland’s disease status prior to the outbreak?
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Helsinki reported to the OIE Finland’s first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on December 7, 2001. The disease was detected in northern Finland in a dairy cow born in 1995 in Finland. The cow showed clinical signs of disorder and was emergency slaughtered. The diagnostic tests used were: Prionics Check test (29 November 2001); immunohistochemistry, histopathology (7 December 2001). Neither the source of agent nor the origin of infection has been established. Epidemiological investigations are underway. No meat-and-bone meal has been used in the herd for more than 20 years. Control measures include removal and slaughter.
Source: OIE Disease Information Report
What is the Finland’s production and trade in affected animals and animal products?
Finland was responsible for less than one percent of the world’s cattle, sheep, and goat stocks in year 2000 (Table 1). Live cattle, sheep, and goat exports from Finland were less than 1.0 percent of the world’s trade in these animals during year 1999. Finland imported less than 1.0 percent of the world’s imports of live cattle, sheep, and goats.
Table 1. Finland’s live animal stocks (year 2000) and imports and exports of live animals (year 1999).
Live Animal
Year 2000 Stocks
1999 Trade
1999 Exports
1999 Imports
Head
% World
Head
% World
Head
% World
Cattle
1,068,000
<<1.0
20
<<<1.0
9
<<<1.0
Sheep
106,000
<<1.0
30
0
0
0
Goats
7,900
<<<1.0
0
0
0
0
Finland produced less than one percent of the world’s total beef and veal, mutton and lamb, and goat meat during year 2000 (Table 2). Finland exported less than one percent of the world’s total exports of these products during year 1999. Finland imported three percent of the world’s total imports of mutton and lamb, but less than one percent of the total imports of beef, veal, and goat meat during year 1999.
Table 2. Production (year 2000) and trade (year 1999) in relevant products by Finland.
Products
Year 2000 Production
1999 Trade
1999 Exports
1999 Imports
Metric ton
% World
Metric ton
% World
Metric ton
% World
Beef and veal
90,000
<<1.0
1,506
<<<1.0
2,121
<<1.0
Mutton and lamb 1
750
<<1.0
41
<<1.0
964
<<1.0
Goat meat 1
0
0.0
0
0.0
10
<<1.0
Source: United Nations FAO
1 Sheep and goats were included in Table 1 and Table 2 as ‘affected’ animals because USDA/APHIS includes all ruminants and ruminant products in its restrictions pertaining to BSE.
Source: United Nations FAO
What are the U.S. imports of affected animals or animal products from Finland?
No live ruminants nor any meat from ruminants were imported into the US from Finland between 1998 and June 2001. Some offal (animal species not specified) was imported into the US from Finland in 1998 and 2000 (Table 3).
Source: World Trade Atlas;USDA APHIS VS Import Tracking System
Table 3. Relevant US imports from Finland in 1998, 1999, 2000, and Jan-Jun 2001
HS Code
Description
Unit
1998
1999
2000
2001 (Jan-Jun)
BSE meat & offal-non species specific
Totl 120,516 0 19,482 0
0504000040
Gut/Bladder/Stomach of Animals For Sausage Casing, Not Hog
KG 120,516 0 0 0
0504000060
Guts, Bladders and Stomachs of Animals, NESOI
KG 0 0 19,482 0
Source: World Trade Atlas
Did the US have restrictions on ruminant imports from Finland prior to this case?
In December 1997, APHIS prohibited the importation of live ruminants and most ruminant products from all of Europe including Finland until a thorough assessment of the risks of introduction of BSE into the US could be made. Prior to December 1997, import restrictions were applied only to those countries which had reported cases of BSE in native animals. Also, importation of ruminant meat from BSE-affected countries was permitted if the meat was deboned and free of visually identifiable lymphatic and nervous tissue and if it met other restrictions. Import regulations enacted December 1997 extended the import restrictions to countries which had not had a declared BSE case, yet had risk factors for BSE occurrence.
These regulatory changes also removed provisions that allowed importation of ruminant meat from the restricted countries, and thereby prohibited importation of ruminant meat from all Europe. These import restrictions also applied to bone meal, blood meal, meat meal, offal, fat, glands, and serum from ruminants. In December 2000, APHIS expanded its import restrictions regarding BSE by prohibiting all imports from Europe of rendered animal protein products, regardless of species.
Source: USDA, APHIS, VS
What is the level of passenger traffic arriving in the United States from Finland?
A total of 102,450 passengers on direct flights from Finland arrived at US airports in fiscal year 2000. An undetermined number of passengers from Finland arrived in the US via indirect flights.
Under APHIS-PPQ’s agricultural quarantine inspection monitoring, 250 air passengers from Finland were sampled for items of agricultural interest in fiscal year 2000. Of these 250 passengers, 9 carried a total of 11.5 kg meat (non-pork) items that could potentially harbor the pathogen(s) that cause BSE. None of these passengers from whom meat items were confiscated reported plans to visit or work on a ranch or farm during their visit to the US.
Source: US Dept. of Transportation; APHIS-PPQ
CEI’s plans for follow up:
Currently, there are no plans for supplemental reporting of this outbreak of BSE in Finland. If you need more information or if you want to comment on this worksheet, you may reply to this message, or contact Reg Johnson at (970) 490-7896 or Chris Kopral at (970) 490-7819.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/taf/iw_2001_files/foreign/bse_finland1201.htm
GEOGRAPHICAL RISK OF
BOVINE SPONGIFORM
ENCEPHALOPATHY (GBR) in
Finland
Update adopted by the SSC on 16/5/2002
CONCLUSION ON THE CURRENT GBR
The BSE-agent was most likely imported into the country via live cattle or MBM and it could
have reached domestic cattle, before 1990 via deliberate inclusion of MBM into cattle feed and
thereafter via cross-contamination in feed mills, during transport or on farm. It is therefore
concluded that it is likely that one or several cattle that are (pre-clinically or clinically) infected
with the BSE agent are currently present in the domestic herd of Finland (GBR-III). This is
confirmed by the domestic BSE case that was identified in Finland in 2001.
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/ssc/out260_en.pdf
*** France 672 110
Table 1: Production and trade in live animals and animal products, France,
2000 (Production) and 1999 (Trade)
France
% of World
Live animal stocks (# head)
Cattle
20,194,000
1.5
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/taf/iw_2001_files/foreign/fmd_france0301e.htm
Euro Surveill 2000;5(9):97-100 Published online September 2000
Key words: variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. France.
Epidemiological status of BSE in France – update on ‘born after the ban’ cases
http://www.eurosurveillance.org/em/v05n09/0509-224.asp
http://www.eurosurveillance.org/em/v05n09/v05n09.pdf
*** Germany 872 625
Livestock
Holdings with cattle and stock of cattle
Holding / type of livestock
Holdings / livestock
May 2005
November 2005
in 1 000
Holdings with cattle, total 183.4 179.1
incl.: with dairy cows 110.4 108.0
with multiple and single suckling cows 47.6 45.8
Cattle, total 13 034.5 12 918.6
http://www.destatis.de/basis/e/forst/forsttab10.htm
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Germany
Impact Worksheet, December 2000
Summary: Germany announced on November 26, 2000 the first case of BSE in a native-born cow. Until this time, Germany had declared itself as free of BSE, despite the fact that it had reported 6 prior cases of BSE between 1992 and 1997. However, all previously reported cases were in imported animals.
Although Germany has only about 1% of world cattle stocks, 1998 live cattle exports accounted for 8% of world cattle exports. Approximately 50% of live bovine animals were exported to the Netherlands, and the rest went to other EU countries, including Lebanon, Algeria, Morocco, and Bosnia-Hercegovina. Germany’s exports of beef and veal accounted for 5.5% of world beef and veal exports, and shipments were destined principally to Russia and other EU countries.
In December 1997, the USDA enacted regulations which prohibited the importation of live ruminants and ruminant meat from Germany. These import restrictions also applied to bone meal, blood meal, meat meal, offal, fat, glands, and serum from ruminants.
The US imported no live ruminants from Germany in 1999 or 2000. Imports of a wide variety of miscellaneous animal products were reported during 1999 and 2000. For many of these miscellaneous animal products the species of origin is not specified but, in keeping with current US import restrictions, these products are most likely of swine or poultry origin. Some of the miscellaneous animal products imported are allowed only under restriction, such as for industrial usage. Among the miscellaneous animal product imports reported is fetal bovine serum. Imports of fetal bovine serum from Germany would have been a violation of APHIS regulations. It is possible that these imports represent imports of some other product miscoded as fetal bovine serum. CEI will follow up with the Department of Commerce to verify any imports which should not have entered the country.
How extensive is the situation in the affected country and what was the country’s disease status prior to the outbreak?
Germany announced on November 26, 2000 the first case of BSE in a native-born cow. The animal was a normal slaughter animal and was tested as part of a private program by the slaughterhouse. The initial positive test was subsequently confirmed by the German BSE Reference Center. The cow, born in 1996, came from a breeding herd of 167 animals in the state of Schleswig-Holstein.
Until this time, Germany had declared itself as free of BSE. Although Germany has had 6 prior cases of BSE between 1992 and 1997, all of these were in imported animals.
As a result of the current case, Germany immediately imposed a ban on the use of animal feeds containing meat and bone meal.
Source: OIE; Reuters; ProMED
What is the country’s production and trade in affected animals and animal products?
Although Germany has only about 1% of world cattle stocks, 1998 live cattle exports accounted for 8% of world cattle exports (Table A). About half of live cattle exports went to the Netherlands. The remainder were exported to other EU countries, as well as to Lebanon, Algeria, Morocco, and Bosnia-Hercegovina . Production and trade in live sheep and goats are minor, making up less than 1% of world production and trade in these animals.
Table A: Stocks and Trade in Live Animals, Germany
Live Animal
2000 Stocks
Trade
1998 Exports
1998 Imports
Head
% World
Head
% World
Head
% World
Cattle
14,574,000
1.1%
735,638
8.1%
167,666
2.1%
Sheep
2,290,000
0.2%
69,652
0.4%
62,438
0.4%
Goats
114,000
<0.1%
36
<0.1%
349
<0.1%
Germany’s exports of beef and veal accounted for 5.5% of world beef and veal exports in 1998 (Table B). Primary importers of German beef and veal were Russia and other EU countries. German exports of sheep and goat meat are negligible in terms of world trade in these products.
Table B: Production and Trade in Relevant Products, Germany
Products
2000 Production, provisional
Trade
1998 Exports
1998 Imports
Metric ton
% World
Metric ton
% World
Metric ton
% World
Beef and veal
1,420,000
2.5%
376,985
5.5%
211,279
3.2%
Mutton and lamb
44,000
0.6%
1,800
0.2%
40,984
4.9%
Goat meat
270
<0.1%
2
<0.1%
131
0.4%
Note: Sheep and goats were included here as ‘affected’ animals because APHIS has included all ruminants and ruminant products in restrictions pertaining to BSE.
Sources: UN Food and Agriculture Organization; USDA FAS Attache Report, 7/25/2000
Did the US have restrictions on ruminant imports from Germany prior to the current case?
In December 1997, APHIS prohibited the importation of live ruminants and most ruminant products from all of Europe until a thorough assessment of the risks of introduction of BSE into the US could be made. Prior to December 1997, import restrictions were applied only to those countries which had reported cases of BSE in native animals. In addition, the importation of ruminant meat from BSE-affected countries was permitted if the meat was deboned and free of visually identifiable lymphatic and nervous tissue and if it met other restrictions. The import regulations enacted in December 1997 extended the import restrictions to countries that had not had a declared case of BSE, yet had high risk factors for the occurrence of BSE. Germany was among the countries considered to have high risk factors. These regulatory changes also removed the provisions which allowed the importation of ruminant meat from the restricted countries, essentially prohibiting the importation of ruminant meat from all of Europe. These import restrictions also applied to bone meal, blood meal, meat meal, offal, fat, glands, and serum from ruminants.
Source: APHIS, VS
What are the US imports of affected animals or animal products from the country?
In accordance with the 1997 ban on the importation of live ruminants and most ruminant products including meat from Europe, the World Trade Atlas data show no such imports from Germany in 1999 or 2000. There were, however, a wide variety of miscellaneous animal products imported during this time period, including fetal bovine serum (Table C). It should be noted that many of the items listed in Table C are animal products not specifically identified as to their species of origin. They are most likely of swine or poultry origin and thus allowed into the US since they are of no risk regarding introduction of BSE. In addition, some of the items listed (e.g. gelatin and animal glues) are allowed into the US under restriction, such as for industrial usage. Dairy products and animal fat products have not been included in Table C since those products are unlikely sources of BSE. Imports of fetal bovine serum from Germany would have been a violation of APHIS regulations. It is possible that these imports represent imports of some other product miscoded as fetal bovine serum. CEI will follow up with the Department of Commerce to verify any imports which should not have entered the country.
Table C: US Imports of Animals or Products from Germany, 1999-2000 (includes some animal products whose origin is unspecified)
(NESOI = not elsewhere specified or included)
Product
QUANTITY
Jan - Sep 2000
1999
1. MISC. ANIMAL PRODUCTS
Soups, Broths, and Other Preparations
821,881 kg
2,138,530 kg
Sausages and Similar Products of Meat, Meat Offal or Blood, NESOI, Food Preparations Based on These Products, Canned
0
41,618 kg
Guts, Bladders and Stomachs of Animals Other than Fish not Prepared for Use as Casings
1,940 kg
7,480 kg
Guts,Bladders and Stomachs of Animals Except Hogs and Fish for Use as Casings
82, 475 kg
47, 463 kg
2. ANIMAL FEED PREPARATIONS
Dairy Cows , Prep
0
2 tons
Dog and Cat Food, Retail
277,123 kg
181,971 kg
Other Livestock Feed Prep
0
2 tons
Mixed Feeds or Mixed Feed Ingredients used in Animal Feedings, NESOI
5,640 tons
437 tons
Preparations of a Kind Used in Animal Feeding, NESOI
72,777 kg
133,134 kg
3. PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS
Organ Extracts of Glands or Other Organs or of their Secretions
892 kg
8,680 kg
Organ Extracts Other Glands and Other Organs, Dried, Whether or not Powdered
801 kg
3,600 kg
Fetal Bovine Serum
94 kg
60 kg
Other Blood Fractions, NESOI
52,169 kg
42,804 kg
Cantharides; Glands, Except Pancreas, Organs and Other Animal Products Used in the Preparation of Pharmaceutical Products, Fresh, Chilled, Frozen, Preserved
23,619 kg
2,775 kg
Bile and Other Animal Secretions
0
300 kg
Peptones, Other Proteins &Derivates, Hide Powder
244,554 kg
242,799 kg
Enzymes, Prepared Enzymes NESOI
699,853 kg
1,667,370 kg
Albumines, Albuminates and Other Albumin Derivates, NESOI
373,892 kg
258, 440 kg
Inedible Gelatin, and Animal Glue
0
23,255 kg
Gelatin and Gelatin Derivates, Other Glues of Animal Origin,
Except Caesin Glues
172, 287 kg
247,364 kg
Medicaments Containing Adrenal Cortical Hormones but Not Containing Antibiotic
20,788 kg
52,341 kg
Medicaments Containing Antigens or Hyaluronic Acid
71 kg
4,109 kg
Sterile Surgical Catgut
65 kg
3,644 kg
Source: World Trade Atlas, US Dept. of Commerce
What is the level of passenger traffic arriving in the United States from the affected country?
A total of 3.3 million passengers arrived in the US on direct flights from Germany in 1998, although many of these passengers would not have originated in Germany. As part of APHIS-PPQ’s Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Monitoring, 8,247 air passengers from Germany were inspected for items of agricultural interest. Of these, 198, or 2.3%, were found to be carrying a total of 304 kg of items that could potentially present a risk for BSE. Thirty (30) of the passengers with items reported plans to visit or work on a farm or ranch while in the US. Reported destination states of these 30 passengers were CA, CO, DE, FL, LA, MT, OH, VA, and WY.
Source: US Department of Transportation, and APHIS-PPQ Agricultural Quarantine Inspection data base
CEI’s plans for follow-up:
Aside from any follow-up to verify the accuracy of import data, CEI has no further plans regarding this case. However, if you would like additional information, please contact Chris Kopral at (970) 490-7819 or Milo Muller at (970) 490-7844.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/taf/iw_2000_files/foreign/bse_germany1200e.htm
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Greece
Impact Worksheet, July 6, 2001
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/taf/iw_2001_files/foreign/bse_greece0701.htm
*** Hungary 28 867
Table 1. Livestock population as of 31 December, 1995 (in thousands)
Denomination
Average of 1986-1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
199s*
Cattle, total
1650
1420
1159
999
910
944
cows
658
559
497
450
415
419
http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/006/AD250E/ad250e0c.htm
http://www.fao.org/Regional/SEUR/QMP/Hun_en.htm
Opinion of the
Scientific Steering Committee
on the
GEOGRAPHICAL RISK OF
BOVINE SPONGIFORM
ENCEPHALOPATHY (GBR) in
HUNGARY
Adopted on 30/03/2001
snip...
It is concluded that it is likely but not confirmed that one or several cattle that are
(pre-clinically or clinically) infected with the BSE agent are currently present in
the domestic herd of Hungary (GBR III).
Given the extremely unstable system and the fact that the BSE-agent is likely to be
already present in the country due to live cattle and MBM imports, it is assumed
that the GBR is increasing.
snip...
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/ssc/out187_en.pdf
*** Ireland 384 055
Even today, when a quarter of the population of the Republic lives in Dublin, the cattle population is of the order of 6.7 million.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Ireland
Report on the assessment of the Geographical BSE-risk of IRELAND July 2000
- 1 -
Report on
the Assessment of
the Geographical BSE-Risk
(GBR) of
IRELAND
July 2000
snip...
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
The current geographical BSE-risk (GBR) level is III, i.e. BSE is confirmed in
domestic cattle at a lower level.
However, the observed incidence of clinical cases over the last 12 months (March
1999 to January 2000) was 29.5 per 1 Million adult cattle. This figure is generated
by an essentially passive surveillance system that is not able to identify all clinical
BSE-cases.
snip...
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/ssc/out121_en.pdf
*** Italy 216 396
BSE, Italy, January 2001
(Short Report)
Contained herein is a brief summary of the newly reported outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Italy. There are no plans to distribute a complete impact worksheet about this outbreak of BSE.
Summary:
The Italian Ministry of Public Health reported to the OIE on January 17, 2001 the discovery of the first case of BSE in a native-born cow from Italy. The preliminary diagnosis of January 12, 2001 was confirmed on January 16, 2001. The affected animal was slaughtered, and the dairy farm of origin was “. . . placed under restrictions . . . “.
Italy has less than 0.5% (one-half of one percent) of the world’s cattle stocks. Italy’s 1999 live cattle exports were only 1.2% of the world’s cattle exports. More than 70% of Italy’s exports of 140,000 metric tons of beef and beef products were sent to other countries in the European Union (EU). Russia received 17,000 metric tons as part of the EU food aid programs.
In December 1997, the USDA enacted regulations that prohibit the importation of live ruminants and ruminant meat from members of the EU, including Italy. These import restrictions also were applicable to bone meal, blood meal, meat meal, offal, fat, glands, and serum from ruminants. The U.S. imported no live ruminants from Italy during years 1999 and 2000. Imports of a variety of miscellaneous animal products were reported during 1999 and 2000. For many of these miscellaneous animal products the species of origin is not specified but, in keeping with current U.S. import restrictions, these products probably are not of bovine origin.
If you have questions, you may contact Reginald Johnson at 970-490-7896 or Miloslav Muller at 970-490-7844.
Sources:
1. Promed-ahead-edr., January 14, 2001.
2. Office International Des Epizooties, Disease Information 14(3), January 19, 2001.
2. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), FAOSTAT Database.
3. World Trade Atlas, U.S. Edition, 2000.
4. Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Attache Reports, GAIN Report #IT0026.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/taf/iw_2001_files/foreign/bse_italy0101.htm
Report on the assessment of the Geographical BSE-risk of ITALY July 2000
5. CONCLUSION ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL BSE-RISK
5.1 The current GBR
The current geographical BSE-risk (GBR) level is III, i.e. it is likely that
domestic cattle are infected with the BSE-agent but it is not confirmed.
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/ssc/out122_en.pdf
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Poland
Impact Worksheet, May 7, 2002
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/taf/iw_2002_files/foreign/bse_poland0502.htm
*** Latvia 14 854
livestock (1000s): cattle: 378
http://www.library.uu.nl/wesp/populstat/Europe/latviag.htm
Report on the assessment of the Geographical BSE-risk of Latvia June 2002
5. CONCLUSION ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL BSE-RISK
5.1 The current GBR as function of the past stability and challenge
§ The current geographical BSE-risk (GBR) level is III, as it is likely but not confirmed
that domestic cattle are (clinically or pre-clinically) infected with the BSE-agent.
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/ssc/out274_en.pdf
*** Lithuania 31 228
livestock (1000s): cattle: 898
http://www.library.uu.nl/wesp/populstat/Europe/lithuang.htm
Report on the assessment of the Geographical BSE risk of LITHUANIA 09/02/01
5. CONCLUSION ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL BSE-RISK
5.1 The current GBR as function of the past stability and challenge
The current geographical BSE-risk (GBR) level is III, i.e. it is likely but not confirmed
that domestic cattle are (clinically or pre-clinically) infected with the BSE-agent.
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/ssc/out167_en.pdf
Scientific Steering Committee – Opinion on the GBR of LITHUANIA April 2003
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/ssc/out337_en.pdf
*** Luxemburg 7 916
livestock (1000s): cattle: 205
http://www.library.uu.nl/wesp/populstat/Europe/luxembgg.htm
Report on the assessment of the Geographical BSE-risk of LUXEMBOURG July 2000
5. CONCLUSION ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL BSE RISK
5.1 The current GBR
The current geographical BSE-risk (GBR) level is III, i.e. BSE is confirmed in
domestic cattle (last and only case in 1997) at a lower level.
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/ssc/out123_en.pdf
*** Malta 1 133
livestock (1000s): cattle: 19-21
http://www.library.uu.nl/wesp/populstat/Europe/maltag.htm
Report on the assessment of the Geographical BSE-risk of MALTA September 2002
5. CONCLUSION ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL BSE-RISK
5.1 The current GBR as function of the past stability and challenge
The current geographical BSE-risk (GBR) level is III, i.e. it is likely but not
confirmed that domestic cattle are (clinically or pre-clinically) infected with the
BSE-agent.
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/ssc/out287_en.pdf
*** Portugal 46 615
Report on the assessment of the Geographical BSE-risk of PORTUGAL July 2000
5. Conclusion on the Geographical BSE-Risk (GBR)
5.1 The current GBR
The current geographical BSE-risk (GBR) level is IV: BSE is confirmed in
domestic cattle at a higher level.
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/ssc/out125_en.pdf
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/inspections/vi/reports/portugal/vi_rep_port_7214-2004_en.pdf
*** Slovakia 35 193
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Slovakia
Impact Worksheet, October 9, 2001
Summary:
BSE was confirmed on October 4 in a 6-year old cow in Slovakia. The cow was detected as part of regular sampling for BSE in slaughter cattle. This is the first case of BSE in Slovakia.
Slovakia had less than 0.1 percent of the world’s stocks in cattle, goats, and sheep in 2000. Slovakia’s meat exports are minimal; however, exports of live animals number in the tens of thousands. Destination countries for the live animal exports were not specified. No products that would be of risk for transmission of BSE were imported into the US from Slovakia during 2000 or 2001. In 1998 and 1999, small quantities of animals feeds were imported from Slovakia; however, it is not known whether these feeds contained ruminant materials.
In December 1997, APHIS prohibited the importation of live ruminants and most ruminant products from all of Europe including Slovakia. In December 2000, import restrictions regarding BSE were expanded by prohibiting all imports of rendered animal protein products, regardless of species, from Europe.
How extensive is the outbreak of BSE in Slovakia?
It was reported by Reuters that BSE was confirmed on October 4 in a 6-year old cow in Slovakia. The cow was detected as part of regular sampling for BSE in slaughter cattle. Confirmation was done by the Research Laboratory for Viral Diseases of Animals in Tuebingen, Germany. This is the first case of BSE in Slovakia.
Using trace-back, it was determined that the positive cow was transported to the slaughterhouse on September 24, and originated from a farm with about 200 cows, located in Horná Zdana in the Ziar nad Hronom district. The district veterinary authorities immediately isolated the farm and banned any movement of animals to and from the farm.
Source: OIE Weekly Disease Information Report, Sep 28, 2001; Reuters, Oct 4, 2001
What actions has Slovakia taken to protect its livestock from BSE?
Imports of cattle, beef, and beef products from countries with BSE are banned by Slovakia. However, it is not clear when this ban was enacted, as small numbers of live cattle from France (which has had cases of BSE since 1991) were imported as recently as 1999.
Meat and bone meal (MBM) has reportedly not been fed to ruminants for many years because it is too expensive. Even so, a ban on the feeding of MBM to ruminants was implemented in 1994. Some MBM for feeding to non-ruminants has been imported, primarily from Austria.
Testing for BSE began in 1996. Brains were tested from cattle exhibiting unusual behavior, cattle that are fallen, and ‘emergency slaughter’ cattle. Since the appearance of BSE in the Czech Republic in June 2001, Slovakia has been testing all slaughtered cows aged over 30 months.
Source: USDA, FAS, Slovak Measure to Prevent BSE, Mar 2, 2001; Reuters, Oct 4, 2001
What is Slovakia’s production and trade in affected animals and animal products?
Slovakia had less than 0.1 percent of the world’s stocks in cattle, goats, and sheep in 2000 (Table 1). Slovakia exported 120,000 live cattle, goats, and sheep in 1999. Destination countries for the live animal exports were not specified. Slovakia had less than 0.1 percent of imports of cattle, goats, and sheep in 1999.
Table 1. Slovakia’s live animal stocks and imports and exports of live animals.
Live Animal
2000 Stocks
Trade
1999 Exports
1999 Imports
Head
% World
Head
% World
Head
% World
Cattle
665,055
0.05
12,556
0.13
150
<0.01
Goats
51,075
<0.01
30,501
1.1
560
0.02
Sheep
340,346
0.03
77,246
0.43
810
<0.01
Slovakia had less than 0.1 percent of the world’s 2000 production of beef and veal, mutton and lamb, and goat meat in 2000 (Table 2). Slovakia also had less than 0.1 percent of world exports of beef and veal, and mutton and lamb, and imports of beef and veal in 1999. Quantities were not available for goat meat imports and exports or mutton and lamb imports.
Table 2. Production and trade in relevant products by Slovakia.
Products
2000 Production
Trade
1999 Exports
1999 Imports
Metric ton
% World
Metric ton
% World
Metric ton
% World
Beef and Veal
42,932
0.08
144
<0.01
2,993
0.06
Mutton and Lamb1
1,476
0.02
109
0.01
-
-
Goat Meat1
110
<0.01
-
-
-
-
Source: United Nations FAO
1 Sheep and goats were included in Table 1 and Table 2 as ‘affected’ animals because USDA/APHIS includes all ruminants and ruminant products in its restrictions pertaining to BSE.
What are the U.S. imports of affected animals or animal products from Slovakia?
No products that would be of risk for transmission of BSE were imported into the US from Slovakia during 2000 or 2001. Small quantities of animals feeds were imported during 1998 and 1999; however, it is not known whether these feeds contained ruminant materials (Table 3). Canada and Mexico did not import any items of risk from Slovakia in 1998, 1999, 2000, or 2001.
Table 3. U.S. Imports from Slovakia
1998
1999
Value ($millions)
Quantity
Value ($millions)
Quantity
mixed feeds or mixed feed ingredients used in animal feedings, nesoi
0.350
114 metric tons
0.509
243 metric tons
preparations of a kind used in animal feeding, nesoi
0.000
0 kg
0.013
4,000 kg
Source: World Trade Atlas
Did the US have restrictions on ruminant imports from Slovakia prior to this case?
In December 1997, APHIS prohibited the importation of live ruminants and most ruminant products from all of Europe including Slovakia until a thorough assessment of the risks of introduction of BSE into the US could be made. Prior to December 1997, import restrictions were applied only to those countries which had reported cases of BSE in native animals. Also, importation of ruminant meat from BSE-affected countries was permitted if the meat was deboned and free of visually identifiable lymphatic and nervous tissue and if it met other restrictions. Import regulations enacted December 1997 extended the import restrictions to countries that had not had a declared case of BSE, yet had risk factors for occurrence of BSE.
These regulatory changes also removed the provisions which allowed importation of ruminant meat from the restricted countries, essentially prohibiting the importation of ruminant meat from all of Europe. These import restrictions also applied to bone meal, blood meal, meat meal, offal, fat, glands, and serum from ruminants. In December 2000, APHIS expanded its import restrictions regarding BSE by prohibiting all imports of rendered animal protein products, regardless of species, from Europe.
Source: USDA, APHIS, VS
What is the level of passenger traffic arriving in the United States from Slovakia?
There were no direct flights from Slovakia to the US in fiscal year 2000.
Under APHIS-PPQ’s agriculture quarantine inspection monitoring, 42 air passengers from Slovakia were sampled for items of agricultural interest in fiscal year 2000. None of these passengers were carrying meat (non-pork) items that could potentially harbor the pathogen(s) that cause BSE.
Source: US Department of Transportation, and APHIS-PPQ Agricultural Quarantine Inspection data base
CEI’s plans for follow up:
CEI is trying to ascertain the destination countries of Slovakia’s live animal exports and will send out a brief message with this information. If you need more information or want to comment on this worksheet, you may reply to this message or contact Ken Geter at (970) 490-7817 or Chris Kopral at (970) 490-7819.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/taf/iw_2001_files/foreign/bse_slovakia1001.htm
BOVINE SPONGIFORM
ENCEPHALOPATHY (GBR) in the
SLOVAK REPUBLIC
Adopted on 30/03/2001
It is concluded that it is likely but not confirmed that one or several cattle that are
(pre-clinically or clinically) infected with the BSE agent are currently present in
the domestic herd of the Slovak Republic (GBR III).
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/ssc/out183_en.pdf
*** Slovenia 15 768
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Slovenia
Impact Worksheet, November 23, 2001
Summary: In Slovenia, BSE was confirmed in a five-year old domestically bred cow; this is the first case of BSE in that country. Slovenia identified the cow as a suspected BSE case during mandatory prionic testing in slaughter cattle. The Ljubljana, Slovenia National Veterinary Institute confirmed the BSE test through histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations on 16 November. Positive results were corroborated by the Institute of Animal Neurology at the University of Bern in Switzerland on 20 November.
In December 1997, APHIS prohibited the importation of live ruminants and most ruminant products from all of Europe including Slovenia. In December 2000, import restrictions regarding BSE were expanded by prohibiting all imports of rendered animal protein products, regardless of species, from Europe. Slovenia had less than 0.1 percent of the world’s stocks in cattle, goats, and sheep in 2000. Slovenia’s meat exports were minimal, and destination countries for the live animal exports were not specified. Slovenia exported meat and bone meal to Austria, Bosnia-Hercegovina and Croatia in 1999. The US imported no products from Slovenia during 2000 or 2001 that would be of risk for BSE transmission. In 1998, the US imported small quantities of animal feeds from Slovenia, however, it is not known if these feeds contained ruminant materials. The infected cow came from a farm in northeast Slovenia.
How extensive is the outbreak of BSE in Slovenia?
BSE has been confirmed in a five-year old cow in Slovenia on 16 November. This is the first case of BSE in Slovenia, and the cow was domestically bred. Slovenia first identified the cow as a suspected BSE case during routine and mandatory Western blot prionic testing for BSE in slaughter cattle. The Ljubljana, Slovenia National Veterinary Institute and the Institute of Animal Neurology Laboratory in Switzerland confirmed the BSE test. The infected cow came from a small, extensive farm with nine animals in the Zgornja Savinsjka valley in northeast Slovenia. Veterinary authorities immediately isolated the farm and banned all movement of animals to and from the farm.
Source: Reuters; AgWorldwide Internet news; OIE Weekly Disease Information Reports, 16 and 23 November 2001
What actions has Slovenia taken to protect its livestock from BSE?
Slovenia has a national BSE testing program in place, feeding of meat and bone meal is banned,, and bovine product imports have been restricted. Use of meat and bone meal has been banned since 1996 as a feed for ruminants, and for non-ruminants since late 2000.
Beginning February 2001, quick post mortem prionic testing for all slaughtered animals has been mandatory in Slovenia for all slaughtered animals older than 30 months. In January 2000, Slovenian authorities had conducted 700 histological tests after reports of BSE in Germany and Italy. In February 2000, the government was reportedly performing 250 prionic tests daily. In 1996 a policy of random testing for animals older than 36 months was introduced. Since 1992, Slovenia has routinely performed pathohistologic analysis of bovine brains for cattle exhibiting clinical signs of a central nervous system malady.
Since 1991, Slovenia has incrementally added to the list of European countries from which it bans imports of live bovine animals, semen and embryos, meat products, gelatin, collagen, raw materials for pharmaceutical use, and other bovine products:
Imports banned from
Beginning in year
United Kingdom
1991
Ireland, Switzerland, France, Portugal
1996
Belgium, Netherlands
1998
Germany
2000
Italy
2001
Source: USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service GAIN Report #SI1001, March 27, 2001
What is Slovenia’s production and trade in affected animals and animal pr