Volume 3: The Early Years, 1986-88
6. Notification of the ruminant feed ban to other countries
The EU is formally notified of the introduction of the ruminant feed ban

6.24 On 25 July 1988 Mr Suich had a telephone conversation with Mr David Wallace in UKRep in Brussels ¹ and subsequently sent him a draft letter, approved by Mr Thompson to be forwarded to the European Commission. When forwarding the draft letter Mr Suich explained to Mr Wallace:

I understand that it is felt necessary on the feedingstuffs side to notify our new restrictions on the use of certain feedingstuffs. However, because we are not keen to provoke a debate in the feedingstuffs forum for fear of unwelcome repercussions the Parliamentary Secretary (Commons) has agreed that a generally worded letter should be sent to Legras. ²

6.25 The letter was sent to Mr G Legras, Director-General of DGVI (Agriculture) of the European Commission, from Mr D M Elliot, the Deputy Permanent Representative at UKRep, on 25 July 1988. The letter informed Mr Legras of the legislation which had been introduced in response to BSE, including the ruminant feed ban. ³

6.26 BSE was on the agenda of a meeting of the Standing Veterinary Committee of the European Commission, held in Brussels on 26-27 July. ⁴ Mr Wilesmith made a presentation, on behalf of the UK, and circulated a factual paper. Mr Crawford and Mr Suich of MAFF were also in attendance. Mr Crawford outlined the measures which had been taken to make the disease notifiable and to suspend the feeding of meat and bone meal. He explained that a slaughter policy would be introduced shortly. ⁵

6.27 Other Member States indicated that there were no signs of the disease in their territories. The Netherlands proposed the establishment of a scientific advisory working group, but the Commission dismissed this as premature. As all the expertise lay with the UK it would also potentially be non-productive. It was agreed that the UK would report on developments in the future, particularly regarding rendering. ⁶