Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE or "mad cow disease") is one of a group of diseases of the brain which can be fatal in a number of species, including humans.

As a result, a range of livestock, food and feed controls have been in place since the late 1980s in the UK, which have been very effective in controlling it. That has led to Scotland being BSE-free since 2009 and now eligible to make an application for BSE Negligible Risk status as a region of the UK.

Yesterday the Scottish Government launched a 5-week consultation, seeking the views on possible changes to Scotland's BSE status.

Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy, Fergus Ewing said: "There is considerable support for the view that if Scotland could be upgraded to BSE Negligible Risk status, it would provide an improved global image for Scottish agriculture, offering a potential advantage in terms of gaining entry into new markets.

"But we also need to consider carefully all the implications of such a development and hear the views of stakeholders, including retailers, public health specialists and consumers."

Market round-up

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 122 store heifers at Ayr on Thursday to a top of £1200 per head (twice) and 230.3p per kg to average £884.34 and 206.8p (+1.2p on the fortnight), while 273 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at £1275 and 252.7p to level at £956.96 and 211.7p (+1.4p). Seventy-four store, B&W bullocks sold to £915 and 182.7p to average £717.98 and 146.1p (+12.7p).

The firm also had 1362 store lambs forward at the 3rd lamb sale of the season when the top bid was £70 (4 times) for pens of Beltex, and the overall sale average levelled at £60.37 (+£8.99 on the year).

C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 2926 prime lambs in Longtown on Thursday to a top of £101 per head and 219p per kg to average 173p (-9p on the week).

There were also 5761 cast sheep forward when heavy ewes sold to £138 for Texels and averaged £67.40 (-£2.29), while light ewes peaked at £73 for Easycare and levelled at £41.37 (-£1.79). Rams sold to £140 for a Charollais and averaged £82.51.

The firm went on to hold its annual show and sale of Scotch Mule gimmers and ewe lambs in Dumfries yesterday. The champion pen of gimmers was shown by John Guild, Laight, New Cumnock and went on to sell for £180 apiece. Overall the 2795 gimmers averaged £134.96 (+£8.96 on the year).

The ewe lamb section sold to £126 for a pen off Nisbet Farm, Biggar, while the champion pen from Alec Kirkpatrick, Barr, Sanquhar fetched £118. The final average for the 1901 ewe lambs sold was £94.04 (+£10.14).