Volume 3: The Early Years, 1986-88
1. The identification of a new disease in cattle
Discussion

1.47 While we have not found any shortcoming on the part of MAFF in identifying the emergence of BSE, we accept the evidence of Mr Sibley of the BCVA as to the natural limitations of the passive surveillance system. Since BSE emerged there have been radical structural changes within MAFF, including the reduction of the number of VICs and their incorporation into what is now called the Veterinary Laboratories Agency. ¹

1.48 Surveillance of animal diseases plainly needs to be reconsidered in the light of these structural changes. We understand that a Surveillance Group on Disease and Infections of Animals has been established in the course of 1999, chaired by the Chief Veterinary Officer, with membership from the Agricultural Departments of all four UK countries, the Department of Health, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, the Joint Food Safety and Standards Group, and the Public Health Laboratory Service. Section 28 of the Food Standards Act 1999 provides for the new Food Standards Agency and the relevant Departments to share information on 'food-borne zoonoses' and for coordination of their activities on matters connected with such zoonoses. Diseased animals may pose a risk to humans in a variety of ways, of which food is only one. If surveillance is to be effective, it is vital that:

• any new disease in animals should be identified as soon as possible;
• once identified, that the potential implications for human health of the disease, having regard to all potential routes of transmission, are considered by scientists with appropriate qualifications; and
• where potential risk is identified, appropriate measures are taken to address that risk. ²