BSE Prevention: Feed Bans, SRM Removal, Surveillance, and Global Standards

Multilayered controls have reduced classical BSE to near zero in regulated countries.

1. Feed Controls (Most Critical)

• Ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban (UK 1988, EU 2001 total ban, US 1997/2008 strengthened).
• Cross-contamination prevention (dedicated lines, flushing).
• Ban on mammalian protein for all farmed animals (EU).

2. Specified Risk Material (SRM) Removal

Tissues with highest infectivity removed at slaughter and excluded from food/feed chain:

• Brain, skull, eyes, spinal cord, trigeminal ganglia, dorsal root ganglia, tonsils, distal ileum (all ages).
• Vertebral column (cattle >30 months).

3. Surveillance

• Active: rapid testing of fallen stock, emergency slaughter, healthy slaughter (>30/40 months).
• Passive: clinical suspect reporting.
• Atypical BSE monitoring (H/L-type).

4. Animal Identification & Traceability

• Ear tags, passports, electronic databases.
• Cohort tracing (offspring, feed cohorts).

5. Culling & Disposal

• Confirmed cases + cohorts culled.
• Incineration (134°C) or alkaline hydrolysis; designated landfill for low-risk.

6. Trade & Import Controls

• OIE (WOAH) risk status categories (negligible, controlled, undetermined).
• Import restrictions based on status.

7. Research & Preparedness

• Strain typing, zoonotic potential of atypical BSE/CWD.
• Improved decontamination, ante-mortem tests.

Layered approach = defense in depth. Complacency risks re-emergence.