Active surveillance of BSE in cattle in The Netherlands

Since January 2, 2001 a large-scale active surveillance programme for BSE started in the Netherlands in addition to the passive surveillance programme of cattle with clinical symptoms compatible with BSE. Based on decisions of the Council of European Ministers of Agriculture, the European Union launched an active surveillance system for BSE in cattle of 30 months and older. Until April 1, more than 100,000 head of cattle were tested in this scheme, including all cattle slaughtered and a large part of the cattle that died on the farm. Four animals were found positive in the active surveillance system and one cow from the passive surveillance tested positive for BSE during the first three months.