Possible case of mad cow disease on Menorca

The Balearic local minister for Agriculture and Fisheries confirmed on Thursday that the analysis carried out at the laboratory Algete (Madrid) on a 9 year old cow that died at a dairy farm in Es Mercadal (Menorca) had detected a possible case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, popularly known as mad cow disease. However, the samples of the dead animal will be sent to the reference laboratory in Zaragoza to confirm the results of the analysis.

In spite of the seriousness of the news, the minister assured that there is no danger to consumers as the meat that reaches the markets go through strict controls to guarantee its sanitary condition. According to Mateu Morro, the cattle marketed on the Islands is younger than one year old, and so out of danger.

More information from the Ministry of Agriculture: www.eeb.es

UPDATE 3/2/2001
Today Saturday February 3, the first meeting was held of the Coordinating Committee in relation to the transmittable spongiform encephalopathies, presided by the President of the Balearic Government, Francesc Antich. The meeting was attended by the heads of the departments: Health, Consume, Agriculture and Environment, amongst others. The creation of the Committee was approved in yesterday's cabinet meeting.

Datum: 02/02/2001

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