Volume 3: The Early Years, 1986-88
6. Notification of the ruminant feed ban to other countries
MBM is identified as the probable vector for transmission of BSE

6.7 On 31 March 1988, Mr Andrews (MAFF Permanent Secretary) minuted Mr MacGregor (Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) about BSE. His minute recorded the following:

Mr Howard Rees and his colleagues are pressing ahead with our own enquiries into the possible source of this disease. It seems increasingly clear that there is a link with feed and possibly changes in the procedures for the preparation of feed and its composition dating back to the early 1980s. We hope to come up with the conclusions of these studies within the next fortnight. We shall then need to decide urgently what action to take, possibly through persuading the feed manufacturing industry - or sections of it - to alter their practices. If we come up with some strong conclusions relating the disease to feed, we should certainly press ahead and take whatever steps seem necessary to contain the spread of this disease without waiting for the advice from outside experts. ¹

6.8 On 14 April 1988, Mr MacGregor, Mr Gummer (MAFF Minister of State), Mr Thompson and Mr Andrews met Mr Meldrum, Mr Wilesmith of the CVL and a number of MAFF officials to discuss BSE. The note of the meeting described consideration of publicity and trade within the European Community (EC) ² as follows:

Publicity

1. It was noted that, for a number of reasons, this issue could assume a higher profile in the immediate future:

a) the Guernsey authorities were considering putting out a statement on the issue;

b) the Dutch (and the Commission) were pressing, informally at this point, for further information;

c) it could be raised in the [EC] Standing Veterinary Committee within the next month;

d) the feed industry were aware of the problem, given that meat and bone meal were possible causes.

After some discussion it was agreed that this should be handled in a low profile way (particularly given that the Southwood report was not expected for some 5-6 months); a written PQ was not appropriate, but a paragraph should be included in the Veterinary Record.

2. It was agreed that our public line should be that we were taking the issue seriously, a number of steps were already under way; but that the question must be kept in perspective.

Intra-Community Trade

3. The Parliamentary Secretary suggested that any restrictions on trade should be made reciprocal. Dr Watson said that it appeared likely that the disease was confined to this country; there were unique factors which made this possible. ³

6.9 The note of the meeting records the following discussion of MAFF's feedstuffs investigation:

Feedstuffs Investigation

4. Mr Meldrum outlined the current situation on the feedstuffs investigation noting that the industry had been very co-operative. Whilst it was too early yet for any definitive results, it was evident that in the early '80's a change in production processes had occurred. Further tests were now underway; it was hoped to report back in the next two to three weeks.

5. Mr Wilesmith noted that much of our exported feedingstuffs went to the Third World rather than Europe. The Minister of State felt that we had a duty to alert recipient countries if there was anything to be gained by our doing so.

6. Mr Smith raised the question of whether the problem could be eliminated, should the production method prove to be the problem (as seemed possible), once the method was changed. Dr Watson noted that the position on BSE was not yet clear, but drew an analogy with scrapie, which was transmissible within herds.

7. It was agreed that BSE could represent a significant risk to our feedingstuffs and cattle exports. Mr Smith argued that, if a change in technology looked to be the answer, we should either request or insist that the industry followed this through. The Minister concluded by requesting that advice on the outcome of the review should include an assessment of the strength of the evidence; decisions on exports and advice to importing countries should be taken once the results were available. ⁴

6.10 The conclusion of the meeting is recorded as follows:

The Minister concluded that there were a variety of issues outstanding.

1. The Southwood investigation, which could be given a very low level of publicity when a further step was taken: no separate announcement should be made;

2. The response to the Dutch, which the Parliamentary Secretary would consider;

3. The feedstuffs enquiry and action arising from it;

4. Work on other areas, eg the efficacy of a slaughter policy in eradicating the disease;

5. Whether compensation was appropriate.

Until the position was clearer, we should maintain a low profile without appearing to attempt to conceal information. ⁵

6.11 On 6 May 1988 Mr Rees put up a submission to Mr MacGregor. Mr Rees said that he was 'satisfied from the information produced by the investigating teams that the source of the transmissible agent which has caused BSE is through meat and bone meal derived from sheep material in which the rendering process has failed to inactivate the scrapie agent'. ⁶ This submission was discussed by Mr MacGregor, Mr Thompson, Mr Andrews, Mr Meldrum and others on 18 May 1988. The Minister felt that all the evidence pointed to a speedy and compulsory ban on sheep meat material in feed for ruminants. ⁷ He gave instructions that the appropriate Statutory Instrument be prepared.