These documents provide statistics on the number of cases of TSE disease found through the active and passive disease surveillance of cattle in the United Kingdom.

Cases of TSE disease identified in cattle from passive surveillance in United Kingdom have been recorded since 1986. The United Kingdom carried out limited active surveillance in cattle from 1999 to 2001. The European Union active surveillance programme started in July 2001.

European law requires all Member States to carry out active disease surveillance for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle. The testing programme includes:

• cattle over 48 months of age which die or are killed other than for human consumption (fallen cattle)
• cattle over 48 months of age which are emergency slaughtered or show certain abnormalities at ante-mortem inspection

These age thresholds apply to cattle born in the United Kingdom or in other EU member states except Bulgaria and Romania. For cattle born elsewhere the age thresholds are 24 months for fallen cattle or emergency slaughtered cattle, and 30 months for healthy fallen cattle.

Passive disease surveillance takes place when an animal with clinical signs suspicious of a TSE disease is reported to an Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) office, and further investigation determines whether the animal was affected by BSE or scrapie.

Feline spongiform encephalopathy (FSE)

FSE was first identified in the United Kingdom in 1990. Most cases have been reported in the United Kingdom, where the epidemic has been consistent with that of the BSE epidemic. Some other countries (e.g. Norway, Liechtenstein and France) have also reported cases. Most cases have been reported in domestic cats but there have also been cases in captive exotic cats (e.g. cheetah, lion, asian, leopard cat, ocelot, puma and tiger).

TSE in exotic ruminants

TSEs have been detected in exotic ruminants in zoos in the United Kingdom since 1986. These include antelopes, Ankole cattle and bison. The 1986 case in a Nyala antelope was diagnosed before the first case of BSE was identified.

The statistics show that the number of cases have declined since the late 1990s. This is due to the controls on animal feed and the disposal of specified risk material and animal by-products.

This document explains how the Environment Agency is working with Suez, operators of Path Head Landfill, Gateshead, to reduce odour coming from the site.

The EU’s LIFE+ programme awarded Natural England a grant of £2.5 million for the Cumbrian Bogs LIFE+ project. This funding will be used over 5 years to:

• restore 507 hectares of damaged lowland raised bog within 3 sites in Cumbria:
  • Bolton Fell Moss Site of Community Importance
  • South Solway Mosses Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
  • Roudsea Wood and Mosses SAC
• use the sites to demonstrate a range of restoration techniques to managers of similar habitats and to wider audiences
• monitor the recovery process and share best practice guidance about the restoration techniques
• raise awareness about the importance and value of the sites and lowland raised bog habitats through:
  • events
  • education programmes
  • newsletters
  • website and social media
  • mid-term and end of project conferences

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Natural England have provided an additional 50% of match funding.

Background

Lowland raised bogs are one of the one of the rarest wildlife habitats in the world. This habitat is very important for biodiversity and for its critical role in carbon storage. The aim is to reduce past damage from:

• woodland
• scrub invasion
• invasive species
• peat extraction
• land drainage for agriculture

Contact

Email: tony.devos@naturalengland.org.uk