Volume 1: Findings and Conclusions
Executive Summary of the Report of the Inquiry
11. Other pathways of infection

• There was a need to establish all the pathways by which bovine products or by-products might come into contact with humans or other animals. This need was recognised by MAFF officials at an early stage and also by the Government's expert advisers on BSE. However, the exercise was never carried out prior to March 1996. As a result, no coordinated or comprehensive consideration was given to the various routes by which BSE might infect human beings or other animals.