The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has officially recognised the United Kingdom as having a negligible risk status for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)—the highest classification possible.

This milestone represents a significant achievement for the UK’s farming and food industries, following years of stringent animal health and biosecurity practices. Since the BSE crisis of the 1980s, British beef exports have faced prolonged international restrictions, but this latest recognition reflects decades of progress and vigilance.

What Does the Status Change Mean?

• Expanded export potential: More international markets are expected to open their doors to UK beef and bovine-derived products.
• Operational efficiencies: Abattoirs and meat processors will see a reduction in certain control measures, easing regulatory burdens and creating opportunities for cost savings.
• Greater carcass value: For instance, the ability to recover mesenteric fat could generate an estimated £10 million annually, according to the British Meat Processors Association.

Industry Response

The news has been widely welcomed by both government bodies and industry leaders, who see this as a clear endorsement of the UK’s globally recognised standards in animal welfare, food safety, and disease control.

Despite the good news, farmers and livestock keepers are reminded that BSE remains a notifiable disease, and any suspected cases must be reported without delay.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-international-risk-status-for-bse-downgraded-in-huge-boost-to-farm-sector

Changes coming to cattle identification

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that cattle identification and traceability in England will be changed over the next 2 years.

These changes, which will start to be introduced from summer 2026, will include:

  • Electric ID (EID) will become mandatory for all new-born calves from 2027. Animals with eID eartags will then be able to be scanned with they are moved, rather than needing a tag number to be visually read and manually input.
  • A new cattle movement reporting system, that Defra intend to be easier to use for farmers, markets, abattoirs and regulators.

Defra have said that they will take a more proportionate approach to enforcement. This will allow livestock businesses to have the opportunity to correct issues before Defra considers taking further action.

The government’s Cattle Identification Consultation 2023 was published at the same time of the announcement, and this indicated that the industry has already expressed support for the measures.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/electronic-id-for-cattle-mandatory-in-step-forward-for-uk-biosecurity