The Israeli government is reported to have earmarked NIS19m (US$3.84m) for a six-month campaign aimed at preventing mad cow disease (BSE) spreading to humans.


Earlier this month the first case of BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) in Israel was confirmed (just-food.com full members can view more information here: https://www.just-food.com/news_detail.asp?art=49840). So far no further cases have been confirmed.


Results of the programme will be assessed after the initial six months, and it will then be decided whether to extend it. Some NIS9m will be contributed by the Treasury, while the Agriculture Ministry and Health Ministry will each contribute NIS4.5m, and the Industry and Trade Ministry will find NIS1m to upgrade refrigeration in slaughterhouses.


The Agriculture Ministry had requested double that sum for a year, but the Treasury balked, reports the Jerusalem Post.


Commencing this week, lab tests will be performed on the brain tissue of all cows slaughtered over the age of 30 months before the animals are released for processing. Organs such as the brain, spleen, eyes, small intestines, and spinal cord of all cattle over the age of one year will be destroyed, as these are the tissues most likely to be infected by BSE. Stricter supervision of animals to prevent “underground” slaughter will be put in force by adding 12 more inspectors around the country.

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