The European Union summary report on surveillance for the presence of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) in 2016
2017; Wiley; Volume: 15; Issue: 11 Linguagem: Inglês
10.2903/j.efsa.2017.5069
ISSN1831-4732
Tópico(s)Agricultural safety and regulations
ResumoEFSA JournalVolume 15, Issue 11 e05069 Scientific ReportOpen Access The European Union summary report on surveillance for the presence of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) in 2016 European Food Safety Authority, European Food Safety AuthoritySearch for more papers by this author European Food Safety Authority, European Food Safety AuthoritySearch for more papers by this author First published: 30 November 2017 https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2017.5069Citations: 6 Correspondence: zoonoses@efsa.europa.eu Requestor: European Commission Question number: EFSA-Q-2016-00793 Amendment: An editorial correction was carried out that does not materially affect the contents or outcome of this scientific output. On page 36 numbers 112/154 were revised to show 112/554, and on page 41 in Table 15 the total number for 2005 has been corrected from 1,808 to 1,817. Table A.5 the total for EFSA countries has been corrected from 894,050 to 1,200,563 and from 2.19 to 1.54. To avoid confusion, the older version has been removed from the EFSA Journal, but is available on request. Acknowledgements: EFSA wishes to thank the following parties for the support provided for this report: EFSA staff members: Yves Van der Stede, Angel Ortiz Pelaez, Valentina Rizzi, Pietro Stella, Frank Boelaert, Francesca Latronico, and the EFSA contractor: the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte (Unit Biostatistica Epidemiologia e Analisi del Rischio) and unit staff members: Giuseppe Ru, Francesco Ingravalle, Cristina Bona, Rosanna Desiato, Cristiana Maurella, Eleonora Aiassa. Approved: 30 October 2017 Amended: 2 October 2018 AboutSectionsPDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract This report presents the results of surveillance activities on transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in bovine animals, sheep, goats, cervids and other species, as well as genotyping data in sheep, carried out in 2016 in the European Union according to Regulation (EC) 999/2001, and in Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. In 2016, 1,352,585 bovine animals were tested in the European Union (5% less than in 2015). For the first time, the United Kingdom did not report any case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), whereas France reported one classical and three atypical cases (H), and Spain one atypical case (H). The classical BSE case was born after the enforcement of the total EU-wide feed ban in 2001 (BARB case). In 2016, 286,351 sheep and 110,832 goats were tested (5% and 11% less than in 2015, respectively). Sheep scrapie was reported by 20 Member States (MSs) (685 cases) and goat scrapie by 9 MSs (634 cases). A total of 25 ovine scrapie cases were reported by Iceland and Norway. At the EU level, the occurrence of scrapie in small ruminants remains stable, with classical scrapie (1,175 cases) being reported more frequently than atypical scrapie (135 cases). A total of 97.2% of the classical scrapie cases in sheep occurred in animals with genotypes belonging to the susceptible group, and a random sampling showed that 26.6% of the genotyped sheep held genotypes of the susceptible group (excluding Cyprus). In 2016, five cases of chronic wasting disease were reported in cervids by Norway: three in wild reindeer and two in moose. It was the first time that this disease is reported in Europe. A total of 2,712 cervids were tested for TSEs in seven different member states, 90% of them in Romania, with negative results. A total of 490 animals from other non-ruminant species were tested in four different member states, with negative results. Summary This report of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) presents the detailed results of surveillance activities on animal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) carried out during 2016 in the European Union (EU) and three non-Member States (non-MSs) as well as genotyping data in sheep. Summary statistics and trends are also presented covering the period between 2001 and 2016. TSE monitoring data for bovine animals, small ruminants, cervids and species other than ruminants are reported by country according to Regulation (EC) 999/2001 (the TSE Regulation) and consist of testing data (reported monthly) as well as case data. Data regarding the genotyping of the ovine scrapie cases and of randomly selected sheep were retrieved from the annual reports submitted by the Member States (MSs) and non-MSs in accordance with Article 6.4 of, and as specified in Chapter B.I of Annex III of the TSE Regulation. A descriptive summary of the reported data is provided at MS level. Where possible, descriptions and calculations were stratified according to the available variables in the database, such as surveillance target group (healthy slaughtered animals, animals culled under bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)/TSE control and eradication measures, etc.) or surveillance type (passive vs active), country, sampling year (since 2001 for bovine animals and 2002 for small ruminants), case type (i.e. classical BSE (C-BSE), atypical BSE (H-BSE or L-BSE), classical scrapie (CS) or atypical scrapie (AS)), flock status (infected/non-infected) and age class/group. Since 2001, approximately 115 million cattle have been tested for BSE in the EU, with a sustained decrease in the number of animals tested over time following amendments to the TSE Regulation. The total number of samples tested for BSE in the EU fell from 1,442,446 in 2015 to 1,352,585 in 2016, representing a reduction of 5%. This was due to the decrease in the testing in the HS category (20% reduction from 491,052 in 2015 to 390,586 in 2016), mainly in three MSs: Germany, France and Poland. However, the number of samples tested from risk animals (AM + ES + FS) over 48 months of age showed an increase (+ 28,118) compared with 2015. In 2016, over 71% of all samples tested in the 31 reporting countries were from fallen stock. In 2016, five BSE cases were detected in the EU, all among fallen stock, from two different MSs: France and Spain. One French case was of C-BSE type, born after the reinforced EU-wide feed ban imposed on 1 January 2001 (BARB case). The remaining four cases were of H-BSE type: three in France and one in Spain. For the first time since BSE cases have been reported, no C-BSE or atypical BSE cases were reported by the United Kingdom in 2016. Since 2002, approximately 8.8 million small ruminants have been tested for scrapie in the EU. In 2016, a total of 286,351 sheep were tested, representing a decrease of 5%, compared with 2015. A total of 685 cases of scrapie in sheep were reported in the EU MSs: 554 of them were CS, 122 were AS and 9 were unknown type. CS was reported by nine different MSs, whereas AS cases were reported by 18 MSs. Most of the CS cases in sheep were detected in four MS: Greece (227), followed by Italy (143), Spain (91) and Romania (75). Portugal and Hungary are the MS with the largest number of AS cases reported: 28 and 23, respectively. In addition, 25 scrapie cases in sheep were reported by two non-MSs: 11 CS cases in Iceland and 14 AS cases in Norway. In 2016, a total of 110,832 goats were tested, representing a decrease of 11%, compared with 2015. A total of 634 cases of scrapie in goats were reported in the EU MSs: 621 of them were CS and 13 were AS. CS was reported by seven MSs with Cyprus accounting for 91.8% of all CS cases (570), followed by Spain (19 cases) and Greece (12 cases). AS was reported by five MSs, with Spain the country with the largest number of AS cases reported in goats: 5. Overall at the EU level, there is no consistent decline in the occurrence of scrapie in small ruminants, either in terms of the absolute number of cases or in the proportion of cases in tested animals. A total of 97.2% of the CS cases in sheep reported in 2016 belonged to susceptible genotypes (NSP3, NSP3O, NSP4 or NSP5), and the genotyping data from random samples of the EU sheep population (excluding CY) showed that 26.6% of the genotyped sheep held genotypes of the susceptible group. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was confirmed for the first time in Europe in 2016, in Norway, where out of a total of 10,139 tested cervids five cases were reported: three in wild reindeer and two in moose. During the same period, 2,712 cervids were tested in seven different MSs and all were found negative. Most of the tested cervids (> 90%) were reported by Romania. Four MSs tested for TSE 490 samples from animals of species other than ruminants and all were negative. 1 Introduction 1.1 Background and Terms of Reference According to Part I.A, Chapter B.I, Annex III of Regulation (EC) 999/20011 (hereinafter referred to as the transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) Regulation), the information to be presented by Member States (MSs) in their annual report, as provided for in Article 6(4), includes: The number of suspected cases placed under official movement restrictions in accordance with Article 12(1), per animal species. The number of suspected cases subject to laboratory examination in accordance with Article 12(2), per animal species, including the results of the rapid and confirmatory tests (number of positives and negatives) and, with regard to bovine animals, the age distribution of all tested animals. The age distribution should be grouped as follows: ‘below 24 months’, distribution per 12 months between 24 and 155 months, and ‘above 155 months’ of age. The number of flocks where suspected cases in ovine and caprine animals have been reported and investigated pursuant to Article 12(1) and (2). The number of bovine animals tested within each subpopulation referred to in Chapter A, Part I, points 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 5. The method of the sample selection, the results of the rapid and confirmatory tests and the age distribution of the tested animals grouped as set out in point 2 shall be provided. The number of ovine and caprine animals and flocks tested within each subpopulation referred to in Chapter A, Part II, points 2, 3, 5 and 6 together with the method for sample selection and the results of the rapid and confirmatory tests. The geographical distribution, including the country of origin if not the same as the reporting country, of positive cases of BSE and scrapie. The year, and where possible the month of birth shall be given for each TSE case in bovine, ovine and caprine animals. TSE cases that have been considered atypical shall be indicated. For scrapie cases, the results of the primary and secondary molecular testing, referred to in Annex X, Chapter C, point 3.2(c), shall be reported, where appropriate. In animals other than bovine, ovine and caprine animals, the number of samples and confirmed TSE cases per species. The genotype, and, where possible, the breed, of each ovine animal either found positive for TSE and sampled in accordance with Chapter A, Part II, point 8.1, or sampled in accordance with Chapter A, Part II, point 8.2. According to Chapter B.II, ‘the compilation of reports containing the information referred to in B.I and submitted to the Commission (which shall send it to the European Food Safety Authority) on a monthly basis in the electronic format agreed between the MSs, the Commission and the European Food Safety Authority or, with regard to the information referred to in point 8 on a quarterly basis, may constitute the annual report as required by Article 6(4), provided that the information is updated whenever additional information becomes available’. The Union summary shall be presented in a tabled format covering at least the information referred to in Part I.A Chapter B.I for each MS. 1.2 Surveillance of TSE in the European Union 1.2.1 Legal basis Animals suspected of a TSE should be examined in accordance with Article 12.2 of the TSE Regulation. The legal framework for the active monitoring of ruminants for the presence of TSE is laid down in Article 6 of the TSE Regulation, and specified in its Annex III, Chapter A. Of the 27 MSs at that time, Commission Decision 2009/719/EC2, allowed 25 (all except Bulgaria and Romania) to apply a revised bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) monitoring programme. Commission Implementing Decision 2013/76/EU3 of 4 February 2013, amending Commission Decision 2009/719/EC, authorised these 25 MSs to decide to stop testing slaughtered bovine animals that had been healthy. Commission Decision 2016/851 of 26 May 2016 authorised the revision of the Croatian BSE annual monitoring programme under the same conditions as granted to the 25 MSs currently listed in the Annex to Decision 2009/719/EC4. The legal basis for the sample collection and for the test methods is laid down in Chapter C of Annex X of the TSE Regulation. From 2005, Annex X (as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 36/20055) also provides for mandatory discriminatory testing for BSE of TSE cases detected in small ruminants. The legal basis for the testing for the determination of the prion protein genotypes (genotype testing) is laid down in points 8.1 and 8.2 of Chapter A in Annex III of the TSE Regulation. 1.2.2 BSE surveillance of bovine animals The BSE surveillance of bovine animals is based on the testing of samples from the following target groups: Animals clinically suspected of being infected by BSE (SU): live, slaughtered or dead animals that show or have shown neurological or behavioural disorders or a progressive deterioration of the general condition linked to impairment of the central nervous system and for which the information gathered on the basis of a clinical examination, response to treatment, a post-mortem examination or ante- or post-mortem laboratory analysis does not allow an alternative diagnosis to be established. BSE shall be suspected in bovine animals that have produced a positive result from a rapid test specifically for BSE as defined in Article 3.1(h) of the TSE Regulation and subject to the measures described in Articles 12 and 13. Animals culled under BSE eradication measures (EM): birth cohorts (bovine animals born in the same herd as the affected bovine animal within the 12 months preceding or following the date of birth of the affected bovine animal), rearing cohorts (bovine animals that at any time during the first year of their lives were reared together with the affected bovine animal during the first year of its life) (point 2, Annex I) and, where the disease was confirmed in a female animal, its progeny born within a period of 2 years prior to or after the clinical onset of the disease (point 1(a) Chapter B, Annex VII). Animals with clinical signs at ante-mortem (AM): bovine animals with (abnormal) observations at ante-mortem inspections (Article 6 1a(a)). Emergency slaughtered (ES): bovine animals sent for emergency slaughter (Article 6.1a(a)). Fallen stock (FS): bovine animals not slaughtered for human consumption that have died or been killed on the farm, during transport or in an abattoir (Article 6 1a(c)). (MSs may decide to derogate from this provision in remote areas with low animal density, where no collection of dead animals is organised). The derogation shall not cover more than 10% of the bovine population in the MSs. Healthy slaughtered (HS): bovine animals slaughtered for human consumption (Article 6.1a(b)). The categories of bovine animals to be submitted for BSE testing are defined in the TSE Regulation and are based on a combination of age (limits) and surveillance target groups. The general rules for BSE surveillance, applied in 2016, are summarised in Table 1. The age limits, to be applied for certain surveillance target groups, have been changed over time. In most of the countries, the testing age limit for the healthy slaughtered category has been shifted from 30 to 48 months in 2009, and to 72 months in 2011. Based on the revision of the testing regimes provided by Decision 2009/719/EC, the testing of HS has been discontinued by most of the MSs. Regarding the risk categories (i.e. FS, ES, AM), one shift from 24 to 48 months was enforced in 2009. A table summarising the evolution of the changes was published in the 2015 EU Summary Report.6 However, there are still some differences in the application of these general rules owing to specific national rules that provide some residual testing of HS or the testing of younger at-risk animals. These national rules, as applied in 2016, are shown in Table 2. Table 1. Criteria for BSE surveillance in bovine animals as applied in 2016 by country, age limit and surveillance target group, based on the TSE Regulation (EC) as amended and Commission Implementing Decision 2013/76/EU of 4 February 2013 EU 26 Romania, Bulgariaa Animals with clinical signs at ante-mortem (AM); Emergency slaughtered animals (ES); Fallen stock (FS) > 48 months > 24 months Healthy slaughtered animals (HS) No mandatory testing required > 30 months Animal culled under BSE eradication measures (EM) BSE suspects (SU) All All BSE: bovine spongiform encephalopathy. a Different criteria were applied in 2016 because Bulgaria and Romania were not in the list of the 26 Member States authorised at that time to revise their BSE annual surveillance programmes according to Commission Implementing Decision 2013/76/EU of 4 February 2013. Table 2. Age limits (in months) of bovine animals tested for BSE surveillance applied in 2016 by Member States and Norway and surveillance target group Member state Surveillance target group SU FS ES AM HS EM AT No age limit > 48a > 24 > 24 No testing No age limit BE No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 No testing > 24 BG No age limit > 24 > 24 > 24 > 30 No age limit CY No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 No testing > 48 CZ No age limit > 24 > 24 > 24 No testing No age limit DE No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 No testing No age limit DK No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 No testing > 48 EE No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 No testing No age limit EL No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 > 72 No age limit ES No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 Born before 2001 and coming from flocks with BSE positive cases No age limit FI No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 No testing No age limit FR No age limit > 24 > 24 > 24 Born before 1/1/2002 > 24 HR No age limit > 48b > 48 > 48 No testing No age limit HU No age limit > 24 > 24 > 24 No testing No age limit IE No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 No testing > 48 IT No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 No testing No age limit LT No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 No testing No age limit LU No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 No testing > 48 LV No age limit > 24 > 24 > 24 No testing No age limit MT No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 No testing No age limit NL No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 No testing No age limit PL No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 > 108 No age limit PT No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 No testing No age limit RO No age limit > 24 > 24 > 24 > 30 No age limit SE No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 No testing No age limit SI No age limit > 24 > 24 > 24 No testing No age limit SK No age limit > 24 > 24 > 24 No testing No age limit UK No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 No testing No age limit NO No age limit > 48 > 48 > 48 No testing No age limit SU: Animals clinically suspected of being infected with BSE; FS: fallen stock; ES: emergency slaughtered; AM: animals with clinical signs at ante-mortem; HS: healthy slaughtered; EM: animals culled under BSE eradication measures. If surveillance target group is FS and animals are born in Romania, Bulgaria or Croatia the age limit is > 24. In particular for Croatia, the age limit of > 24 months for animals from FS was applied until the end of May 2016 as the Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/851 changed this age limit to > 48 months from June 2016 onwards. a Age limits are expressed in months. b The limits have been revised after the publication the Commission Decision 2016/851 of 26 May 2016. 1.2.2.1 Testing protocol for BSE surveillance in bovine animals All samples intended to be examined for the presence of TSE shall in general be collected using the methods and protocols laid down in the latest edition of the Manual for Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Samples from bovine animals sent for laboratory testing pursuant to the provisions of Annex III, Chapter A, Part I shall be examined with a rapid test. When the result of the rapid test is inconclusive or positive, the sample shall immediately be subjected to confirmatory examinations using at least one of the following methods and protocols laid down in the latest edition of the Manual (Figure 1). Samples from bovine animals collected from suspect cases should be subjected to confirmatory examinations using at least one of the following methods: immunohistochemistry (IHC), western Blot (WB), demonstration of characteristic scrapie-associated fibrils (SAF) by electron microscopy, or histopathological examination and a combination of rapid tests. Rapid tests may be used for both primary screening and, if inconclusive or positive, subsequent confirmation according to the guidelines from the European Union TSE Reference Laboratory (EURL). According to point 3.1(b), Chapter C, Annex X, where the result of the primary screening is not confirmed by the subsequent rapid test, the sample must be subjected to an examination using one of the other confirmatory methods. Where histopathological examination is used for that purpose but proves to be inconclusive or negative, the tissues must be submitted for further examination using one of the other confirmatory methods and protocols. Figure 1Open in figure viewerPowerPoint TSE testing protocol for bovine animals (a): Animals clinically suspected of being infected by BSE should be immediately subjected to confirmatory examinations. (b): If histopathology is negative or inconclusive or if there is a discrepancy between rapid tests, a new examination with another confirmatory method is needed. Samples from all positive BSE cases should be forwarded to a laboratory for discriminatory testing of confirmed BSE cases, for the classification of bovine TSE isolates in C-BSE, L-BSE and H-BSE; according to point 3.1(a)(c), Chapter C, Annex X of the TSE Regulation, as amended by Commission regulation 630/20137. 1.2.3 TSE8 surveillance of small ruminants The surveillance of ovine and caprine animals for the presence of TSE is performed based on testing samples obtained from the following surveillance target groups: Animals clinically suspected of being infected by TSE (SU): ovine and caprine live, slaughtered or dead animals that show or have shown neurological or behavioural disorders or a progressive deterioration of their general condition linked to impairment of the central nervous system and for which the information gathered on the basis of a clinical examination, response to treatment, a post-mortem examination or an ante- or post-mortem laboratory analysis does not allow an alternative diagnosis to be established (Article 3.1(h)of the TSE Regulation) and subject to the measures described in Articles 12 and 13 of the TSE Regulation. Animals culled under TSE eradication measures (EM): in a TSE-infected flock or herd where BSE cannot be excluded, all animals, embryos and ova identified by the inquiry shall be killed and completely destroyed, without delay. When BSE and atypical scrapie (AS) can be excluded and option 1 (killing and complete destruction or slaughtered for human consumption of all animals) has been applied, animals over 18 months of age that are killed for destruction shall be tested for the presence of TSE based on the selection of a simple random sample, in accordance with the sample size set in Annex III, Chapter A, Section II, point 5. If derogations for killing and destruction are applied, all animals that are over 18 months of age slaughtered for human consumption shall be tested. When option 2 is applied (killing and complete destruction or slaughter for human consumption of the susceptible animals only), after the genotyping of all ovine animals, a simple random sample of the animals over 18 months of age selected for killing and destruction shall be tested for the presence of TSE in accordance with the sample size set in Annex III, Chapter A, Section II, point 5. If derogations for killing and destruction are applied, all animals that are over 18 months of age and slaughtered for human consumption shall be tested. Animals not slaughtered for human consumption (NSHC): ovine and caprine animals that have died or been killed, but which were not killed in the framework of a disease eradication campaign or slaughtered for human consumption. Minimum sample sizes are set (according Table A of Annex III, Chapter A, Section II, point 3) to take into account the size of the ovine populations in the individual MSs and are intended to provide achievable targets (Table 4). In the case of an infected flock or herd where either option 2 or 3 or derogations (points 2.2.2(c) i) and ii)) have been applied, and during the 2-year intensified TSE testing programme or for a period of 2 years from the date of the detection of the last classical scrapie (CS) case, all animals (except ARR/ARR ovine animals) over the age of 18 months that have died or been killed on the holding but were not killed in the framework of a disease eradication campaign must be tested for the presence of TSE. In the case of an infected flock or herd where option 2 is applied but with a delayed killing and destruction or slaughtering for human consumption of susceptible animals (derogation point 2.2.2.(c)(iii)), during the period of delay (between the detection of the CS case and the complete killing and destruction or slaughtering of susceptible animals), all animals (except ARR/ARR ovine animals) over the age of 18 months which have died or been killed on the holding but which were not killed in the framework of a disease eradication campaign must be tested for the presence of TSE. Furthermore, after the killing and destruction or slaughtering of susceptible animals, a 2-year intensified TSE testing programme must be carried out or a programme for 2 years from the date of the detection of the last CS case, all animals (except ARR/ARR ovine animals) over the age of 18 months which have died or been killed on the holding but which were not killed in the framework of a disease eradication campaign must be tested for the presence of TSE. Healthy animals slaughtered for human consumption (SHC): MSs in which the population of ewes and ewe lambs put to the ram, in the case of sheep, or the population of goats that have already kidded and goats mated exceeds 750,000 animals, shall test a minimum annual sample of 10,000 ovine and/or caprine animals slaughtered for human consumption (point 2(a), Section II, Chapter A, Annex III of the TSE Regulation) (see Table 4). MSs may choose to replace a maximum of 50% of their minimum sample size of ovine and caprine animals slaughtered for human consumption by testing dead ovine or caprine animals over the age of 18 months and a maximum of 10% of their minimum sample size of SHC and NSHC by testing ovine or caprine animals killed in the framework of a disease eradication campaign over the age of 18 months at a ratio of one to one. In the case of an infected flock or herd where option 2 or derogations (point 2.2.2(c) i) and ii)) has been applied, and during the intensified TSE testing programme for a period of 2 years or from the date of the detection of the last CS case, animals that were kept in the holding at the time when the TSE case was confirmed and that have been slaughtered for human consumption shall be tested for TSE. In the case of an infected flock where option 3 (no mandatory killing and complete destruction of animals) have been applied, and during the intensified TSE testing programme for a period of 2 years from the date of the detection of the last CS case, all of the animals which are over the age of 18 months (except ARR/ARR animals) which have been slaughtered for human consumption shall be tested for the presence of TSE. In the case of an infected flock or herd where option 2 is applied but with a delayed killing and destruction or slaughtering for human consumption of susceptible animals (derogation 2.2.2.(c)(iii)), during the period of delay (between the detection of the CS case and the complete killing and destruction or slaughtering of susceptible animals), all animals (except ARR/ARR ovine animals) over the age of 18 months which are slaughtered for human consumption must be tested for the presence of TSE. Furthermore, after the killing and destruction or slaughtering of susceptible animals, a 2-year intensified TSE testing programme must be carried out or a programme for 2 years from the date of the detection of the last CS case, and all animals (except ARR/ARR ovine animals) over the age of 18 months which were kept at the holding at the time when the TSE case was confirmed, and which are slaughtered for human consumption, must be tested for the pr
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