Detection of a case atypical scrapie in a sheep’s brain from New Zealand has mobilised the government to deny there is risk to the country’s scrapie-free status or to trade.

Atypical scrapie is a brain disease from the same family as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease), although it is not thought to be harmful to humans or even transfer between animals.

Federated Farmers has come out in support of Progressive Party leader Jim Anderton's slating of MAF’s decision to slash border control staff.

The Feds strategic communications general manager David Broome said just 7% of sea containers through New Zealand ports are inspected by Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry border officials each year.

He said of the 582,000 containers that landed at New Zealand ports, 541,000 were not inspected.