Mad cow disease case identified in Dumfries and Galloway
Routine surveillance discovered isolated BSE case
Last updated 19th Aug 2026
A cow on a farm in Dumfries and Galloway has been confirmed to have classical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), prompting precautionary measures.
Movement restrictions have been enacted on the offspring of the affected cow and its group at the farm, while investigations continue to determine the disease's origin.
Food Standards Scotland has confirmed there is no threat to human health from this isolated occurrence.
Precautionary measures in place
According to the routine yet intensive BSE surveillance and control measures already in place, the cow did not enter the human food supply.
The Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) is leading the investigation.
Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie expressed appreciation for the swift response, stating:
"Following confirmation of a case of classical BSE in Dumfries and Galloway, the Scottish Government and other agencies acted swiftly and decisively to protect the agriculture sector.
"The fact we identified this isolated case so quickly is clear proof that our surveillance system for detecting this type of disease is working effectively.
"I want to thank the animal's owner for their diligence. Their swift action allowed us to identify and isolate the case immediately, minimising its impact on the wider industry."
Background measures and consumer protection
Background measures include routine testing of animals over four years old that die on farms as part of Scotland's comprehensive surveillance system.
While BSE is not directly transmissible between animals, those associated with the diseased cow, including its offspring, have been traced and isolated and will be destroyed according to legal requirements.
Consumer protection measures are stringent, including removing specified risk materials such as the spinal column, brain, and skull from carcasses intended for human consumption.
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