Research: Cattle: TSE surveillance statistics

Statistics on the surveillance of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in cattle in the United Kingdom.

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This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

These documents provide statistics on the number of cases of TSE disease found through the active and passive disease surveillance of cattle in the United Kingdom.

The UK has BSE Negligible Risk Status. We have updated how we present BSE data to reflect this.

BSE statistics were divided into current and historical statistics after May 2025, when the UK was awarded BSE negligible risk status. Historical statistics will focus on the peak of the epidemic, while current statistics incorporate relevant information.

Cases of TSE disease identified in cattle from passive surveillance in United Kingdom have been recorded since 1986. The UK carried out limited active surveillance in cattle from 1999 to 2001. The European Union active surveillance programme started in July 2001.

The UK carries out active disease surveillance for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle. The testing programme includes cattle over 48 months of age which:

These age thresholds apply to cattle born in the United Kingdom or in other EU member states except Bulgaria and Romania. For cattle born elsewhere the age thresholds are 24 months for fallen cattle or emergency slaughtered cattle, and 30 months for healthy fallen cattle.

Passive disease surveillance takes place when an animal with clinical signs suspicious of a TSE disease is reported to Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), and further investigation determines whether the animal was affected by BSE or scrapie.