Volume 1: Findings and Conclusions
2. Setting the context

118 In this chapter we provide some basic information about the context in which BSE emerged and in which people, both within government and without, had to respond. We do this in order to assist readers in understanding the significance of various parts of the narrative story which follows. We set out thumbnail sketches of the industries that were principally affected by BSE and some key features of how government works. More detailed descriptions of all these are to be found in the background volumes. We also explain some of the concepts involved in handling risk.