Volume 3: The Early Years, 1986-88
5. Human health implications, notification, and slaughter and compensation
Introduction

5.1 In this chapter we trace chronologically the reaction of officials at MAFF and their Ministers to the human health implications of BSE during the period up to 27 July 1988, when the first regulatory measures were taken to address the risk posed to humans.

5.2 In June 1990 Dr Hilary Pickles of the Department of Health (DH) commented:

The most serious delay was in informing DH in the first place. The CVL were aware of a new disease in January 1987, they informed their Ministers in June 1987, but wrote to us . . . only on 3 March 1988, by which time they had 500 cases. ¹

5.3 In this chapter we shall examine the consideration given within MAFF to informing DH of the emergence of BSE and the communications that took place, or were believed to have taken place, between the two Departments about BSE in the period in question. We shall consider how MAFF and DH responded to the potential risk that BSE posed to human health and whether that response was adequate. The structure of MAFF and its constituent parts, including the SVS and CVL, and of DH at this time is illustrated in Annex 1 in vol. 15: Government and Public Administration.