Latest news with #BovineSpongiformEncephalopathy
Euronews
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Ursula von der Leyen to argue for her survival in EU Parliament
The motion of censure against the European Commission tabled in the European Parliament will be debated later on Monday, when Ursula von der Leyen will argue for her political survival in the hemicycle, before MEPs deliver their judgment on Thursday. The vote must take place at least 48 hours after the start of the debate. All MEPs who signed the motion could in theory still withdraw their support for it, and if the one-tenth threshold is no longer met, the process would be halted. The voting session will be run by roll call, meaning that every MEP will vote in public. At least two-thirds of the votes cast representing a majority of all MEPs would need to back the motion of censure for it to be adopted. Nine attempts in the past, only one resignation There have been nine previous attempts by MEPs to topple the European Commission. In 1990 the Group of the European Right tried to force the Commission's resignation over Agricultural Policy, but decisively failed, gaining only 16 votes in favour with 243 against. The most recent attempt took place in November 2014, against the Commission led by Luxembourgish President Jean-Claude Juncker. It was initiated by the Eurosceptic political group Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy in response to the 'Luxembourg Leaks' financial scandal, which exposed the country's tax regime. Only 101 of 670 MEPs voted in favour, well below the required threshold. Other attempts have centred on issues such as the EU budget, the impact of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in Europe, and the management of Eurostat, the Commission's statistical office. Only once in history has a motion of censure resulted in a Commission's resignation—and that happened without a formal vote in plenary session. In March 1999, the Commission led by Luxembourgish President Jacques Santer resigned amid fraud allegations and transparency concerns, preempting Parliament's formal vote. This came despite that Commission having survived three separate motions on other topics in prior years.
Euronews
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Vote of confidence: How the European Parliament can finish Commission
A motion of censure against the European Commission has been tabled in the European Parliament, and will be discussed and voted next week, as previously reported by Euronews. The debate will take place on Monday 7 July with the vote placed on Thursday 10 July. At least two-thirds of the votes cast in the Parliament, representing a majority of all its members, are needed to adopt a motion of censure, a no-confidence vote that would topple President Ursula von der Leyen - and wash away her entire European Commission with her. A motion of censure can be tabled if one in ten MEPs supports the request. Once their signatures have been verified and validated by the Parliament's services, the President must immediately inform the lawmakers, under the Parliament's rules. A plenary debate on the request for resignation must then be scheduled at least 24 hours after the announcement, and a vote on the matter must take place at least 48 hours after the start of the debate. The debate and the vote must take place, at the latest, during the plenary session following the submission of the motion. All MEPs who have signed the motion could in theory withdraw their support for it afterwards, and if the one-tenth threshold is no longer met, the process would be halted. The voting session is run by roll call, meaning that every MEP will vote in public. At least two-thirds of the votes cast representing a majority of all MEPs would need to back the motion of censure for it to be adopted. Nine attempts in the past, only one resignation There have been nine previous attempts by MEPs to topple the European Commission. In 1990 the Group of the European Right tried to force the Commission's resignation over Agricultural Policy, but decisively failed, gaining only 16 votes in favour with 243 against. The most recent attempt took place in November 2014, against the Commission led by Luxembourgish President Jean-Claude Juncker. It was initiated by the eurosceptic political group Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy in response to the 'Luxembourg Leaks' financial scandal, which exposed the country's tax regime. Only 101 of 670 MEPs voted in favour, well below the required threshold. Other attempts have centred on issues such as the EU budget, the impact of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in Europe, and the management of Eurostat, the Commission's statistical office. Only once in history has a motion of censure resulted in a Commission's resignation—and that happened without a formal vote in plenary session. In March 1999, the Commission led by Luxembourgish President Jacques Santer resigned amid fraud allegations and transparency concerns, preempting Parliament's formal vote. This came despite that Commission having survived three separate motions on other topics in prior years.
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Mad cow disease case found in UK - this is what we know
Mad cow disease case found in UK - this is what we know The Government said there was no risk to public health A non-contagious case of what is known as 'mad cow disease' has been identified on a British farm (Image: PA ) A case of what is known as 'mad cow disease' has been identified on a British farm. The discovery of a non-contagious case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) was identified on a farm in Essex, leading to the animal being humanely culled, according to the Government. The Government has said there is no risk to public health, as it was not intended to enter the food chain. It was an 'atypical' strand of the disease, according to the Animal and Plant Health Agency, meaning it will not affect food safety. Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss explained how the animal was tested as part of its "strict routine controls and surveillance regime." The cow was humanely culled after showing symptoms and subsequently tested positive. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Only one case was identified by the agency, and had occurred 'spontaneously'. Article continues below In the 1990s, an epidemic of BSE saw millions of cattle culled in the UK. Ms Middlemiss said: "Atypical BSE is distinct from classical BSE and is a spontaneously and sporadically occurring, non-contagious disease which is believed to occur at a very low level in all cattle populations. "This is proof that our surveillance system for detecting and containing this type of disease is working." BSE mainly affects cattle and can be detected by looking closely for behavioural changes. Other things to look out for include incoordination and nervousness or aggression. The latest incident comes just months after a single case of BSE was detected at a farm in Scotland. Article continues below The disease was identified on a farm in Dumfries and Galloway in December last year. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Animal culled as cattle disease found on a farm in region
A single case of atypical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been confirmed on a farm in Essex. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) confirmed that the animal showed some clinical signs of the naturally-occurring form of BSE and was humanely culled on farm. It was tested as part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (DEFRA) routine surveillance programme. SIGN UP HERE FOR YOUR WEEKLY FARMING BULLETIN BSE is a non-contagious but chronic degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system of cattle. Government vets have stressed there is no risk to public health or food safety from this case. The animal - as fallen stock - was not destined to enter the food chain. Atypical BSE is a naturally occurring, non-contagious disease in cattle which occurs spontaneously. It is distinct from classical BSE which is linked to contaminated feed. This resulted in mass culls after it was discovered in the UK in 1986 before it was eventually eradicated. The last case of atypical BSE in the UK was in December 2024 in Scotland - with a total of four cases since 2015. Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: 'A single case of atypical BSE has been confirmed on a farm in Essex. The animal died on farm and was tested as part of our strict routine controls and surveillance regime. 'Atypical BSE is distinct from classical BSE and is a spontaneously and sporadically occurring, non-contagious disease which is believed to occur at a very low level in all cattle populations. This is proof that our surveillance system for detecting and containing this type of disease is working.' Dr James Cooper, Deputy Director of Food Policy at the Food Standards Agency said there was no risk to food safety. 'There are strict controls in place to protect consumers from the risk of BSE, including controls on animal feed, and removal of the parts of cattle most likely to carry BSE infectivity. 'Consumers can be reassured that these important protection measures remain in place and that Food Standards Agency Official Veterinarians and Meat Hygiene Inspectors working in all abattoirs in England will continue to ensure that the safety of consumers remains the top priority.' Great Britain's overall risk status for BSE remains at "controlled' and there is no risk to food safety or public health. The World Organisation for Animal Health and trading partners have been informed of the case which does not affect the UK's ability to export beef to other countries. BSE is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it, you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. Failure to do so is an offence. This applies to pet and small holder animals as well as commercial cattle.
Agriland
20-05-2025
- Health
- Agriland
Single case of atypical BSE confirmed on farm in Essex
A single case of atypical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been confirmed on a farm in Essex the UK's Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) announced today (Tuesday, May 20). 'There is no risk to public health or food safety from this case and the animal, as fallen stock, was not destined to enter the food chain,' APHA and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) stated today. According to Defra and APHA, the animal in question showed 'some clinical signs of BSE' and was humanely culled on farm and tested as part of Defra's routine surveillance programme. The last case of atypical BSE in the UK was in December 2024 in Scotland. Including this latest case, there has been a total of four cases since 2015. Defra has outlined that atypical BSE is a 'naturally occurring, non-contagious disease in cattle' which occurs spontaneously. The department also detailed that it is distinct from classical BSE which is linked to contaminated feed. The UK's chief veterinary officer (CVO), Christine Middlemiss, confirmed that the animal died on farm. She said that it had been tested as part of the UK's strict routine controls and surveillance regime. 'This is proof that our surveillance system for detecting and containing this type of disease is working,' the CVO said. Atypical BSE Atypical BSE is distinct from classical BSE and occurs at a very low level in all cattle populations. It is reported occasionally in countries with active BSE surveillance programme, according to Defra. BSE is a chronic degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system of cattle. 'It is not contagious, so it does not spread from animal to animal or between holdings,' the department has outlined. The World Organisation for Animal Health and trading partners have been informed of the atypical BSE case identified in Essex. This does not affect the UK's ability to export beef to other countries. Dr. James Cooper, deputy director of food policy at the Food Standards Agency, has also stressed today that there there are strict controls in place to protect consumers from the risk of BSE, including controls on animal feed, and removal of the parts of cattle most likely to carry BSE infectivity. 'Consumers can be reassured that these important protection measures remain in place and that Food Standards Agency official veterinarians and meat hygiene inspectors working in all abattoirs in England will continue to ensure that the safety of consumers remains the top priority,' Dr. Cooper added.
