The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has said that the confirmation of an atypical case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is "disappointing" but shows the effectiveness of Ireland's BSE surveillance regime.

Agriland understands that tests carried out at the department’s Central Veterinary Research Laboratory confirmed a case of atypical BSE last Thursday (April 9).

The animal was identified during the department’s on-going systematic surveillance of ‘fallen’ animals at fallen animal collection centre.

A spokesperson for the department said that "the animal did not enter the food or feed chain and there are no public health risks associated with this occurrence".

Reacting to the department's confirmation, IFA animal health chairperson David Hall said: "While any case of this nature is concerning, it is important to recognise that this detection highlights the quality of our BSE surveillance scheme.

"Ireland's systems are designed to identify and isolate such instances, and that is exactly what has occurred," Hall added.

He stressed that the there is no food safety risk to consumers.

"Ireland retains its WOAH [World Organisation for Animal Health] 'negligible risk' status for BSE, which is based on a comprehensive surveillance and control programme, and this isolated atypical case should not alter that classification," the IFA animal health chair said.

He also said that the impact on trade would be "limited and manageable".

"Exports will only be affected in a small number of markets, and our key export destinations will not be impacted by this development," Hall said.

He insisted that the confirmation of an atypical BSE case should not be used to undermine payments to farmers for cattle.

"Factories cannot and must not use this case as an excuse to lower beef prices. Supplies of finished cattle are tightening significantly, with throughput running behind last year and fewer animals expected in the months ahead," the IFA representative said.

"The fundamentals of the market remain strong, and farmers are entitled to a fair price for their stock," Hall added.