QMS Statement: Scotland Achieves EU BSE Negligible Risk Status

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) welcomes the European Union’s official recognition of Scotland as having negligible Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) risk, as confirmed in the Official Journal of the European Union today (Tuesday 4 November 2025).

Sarah Millar, Chief Executive at Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) said: “Scotland’s official recognition as having negligible BSE risk is excellent news, underlining the strength and resilience of our red meat sector and testament to our ongoing commitment to high animal health, welfare and standards.

"It presents a fantastic opportunity to add more value to the Scottish beef sector. Our recent export survey highlighted record exports of £164 million over the past year, up 19% in value and 4% in volume. Clearly, there is strong demand for Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb across Europe, so this recent achievement should only add to confidence for our livestock and beef exporters."

Background

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/2208 of 31 October 2025 amending the Annex to Decision 2007/453/EC as regards the BSE status of certain regions of the United Kingdom (notified under document C(2025) 7264)