BSE-free status confirmed for Australia

24 May 2006

DAFF06/4D

Australia’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Bob Biddle, today welcomed the World Organisation for Animal Health’s (OIE) unanimous support for Australia as a country free of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) —so called ‘mad cow’ disease.

Dr Biddle said the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) had led efforts to gain recognition of Australia as meeting the requirements for a BSE-free country under the international standard for animal health.  

“Significant effort has been directed towards this goal since 2002, including compilation of technical dossiers, and DAFF veterinarians attending OIE scientific expert meetings in Paris to present Australia’s case,” Dr Biddle said.

Dr Biddle said the OIE confirmation recognises long accepted international and domestic views that Australia is free of this disease, and acknowledges the effectiveness of BSE control measures and efforts by governments and industry over many years to maintain this status.

The status should assist market access negotiations for beef and beef products in export markets.

At the same time, New Zealand, Argentina and Uruguay were also recognised as BSE-free by the OIE.

Media contact:        DAFF Media +61 2 6272 3232