Poultry producers and BSE controls

Summary

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, often called ‘mad cow disease’) is a disease of cattle that causes brain changes and death. BSE does not occur in Australia. Overseas the disease has been shown to spread through meat products fed to cattle. New South Wales has banned the feeding of all animal products, including fish meals and feathers (called ‘restricted animal material’) to ruminant animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and deer. These bans provide insurance against any spread of the disease in Australia and satisfy the requirements of our meat export markets.

This Primefact includes information on the following:

• what connection is there between poultry and BSE?
• what do I need to do to protect stock from any risk?