Ireland can apply for negligible BSE risk status once 11 years has passed following the birth of the youngest case of classical BSE, and this period will be up on Jan 14th 2021. To be included in the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) list of negligible BSE Risk Countries, a submitted application has to be accepted by them. Applications would ordinarily be considered for acceptance in the September following the submission of the application, and once the application is deemed acceptable and reviewed by the OIE’s panel of experts, negligible BSE risk status would be ratified at General Session of the OIE which occurs annually in May.