Volume 6: Human Health, 1989-96
5. Human health developments: 1 January 1991 to 31 March 1995
Introduction

5.1 In this chapter we examine developments in relation to human health between 1 January 1991 and 31 March 1995. Although, in comparison with other years in the BSE story, this period was relatively quiet in relation to human health, there were nevertheless some significant developments. We take the story up to 31 March 1995, just before the national system of meat hygiene inspection was introduced on 1 April.

5.2 In the first main section of this chapter we examine hygiene standards in slaughterhouses during 1991 to March 1995. We also examine certain aspects of the enforcement arrangements in slaughterhouses, particularly those aspects that received greater attention during this period, largely as a consequence of requirements arising from the European Single Market, and, allied to this, the decision to establish a national system for meat hygiene inspection.

5.3 In the second section, we examine the background to the proposals for a national system of meat hygiene, and how this was largely a consequence of requirements arising from the European Single Market which came into effect on 1 January 1993.

5.4 In the third section, we look at developments in the measures to reduce the potential risks from BSE during this period, including compliance with the Specified Bovine Offal (SBO) Regulations, consideration given to controls on mechanically recovered meat (MRM) and amendments made to the SBO Regulations.

5.5 The fourth section describes developments in knowledge and understanding about BSE during the period. Details of developments in relation to CJD during this period are given in vol. 8: Variant CJD.

5.6 The last section of this chapter looks at the Government's pronouncements in relation to some of the developments we describe earlier in the chapter, and the reaction of the media and the public.

5.7 Before turning to examine developments concerning slaughterhouses between 1 January 1991 and 31 March 1995, we conclude this introduction by briefly recording some of the changes to the MAFF and DH ministerial teams and officials.

5.8 In MAFF, Baroness Trumpington ceased to be Minister of State (Lords) on 14 April 1992. Mr David Curry was promoted from Parliamentary Secretary (Commons) to become Minister of State (Commons) on that day. Also on 14 April 1992 Earl Howe became Parliamentary Secretary (Lords), while on 18 April 1992 Mr Nicholas Soames became Parliamentary Secretary (Commons) in place of Mr David Maclean. Mrs Gillian Shephard succeeded Mr John Gummer as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 27 May 1993. The following day Mr Michael Jack succeeded Mr Curry as Minister of State (Commons). On 20 July 1994 Mrs Shephard was succeeded by Mr William Waldegrave, and Mrs Angela Browning took over from Mr Nicholas Soames.

5.9 Changes to MAFF administrators during this period included the retirement of Sir Derek Andrews as Permanent Secretary on 17 February 1993. He was succeeded by Mr Richard Packer. Mr Richard Carden succeeded Mr Charles Capstick as Head of Food Safety Directorate on 18 December 1994. Mr Martin Haddon succeeded Mrs Elizabeth Attridge as Head of the Animal Health Group from 1 November 1994. Mr Robert Lowson was succeeded as Head of Animal Health (Disease Control) Division in April 1993 by Mr Richard McIvor, who in turn was succeeded by Mr Tom Eddy in July 1993. On 1 September 1994 Mr Johnston McNeill became Chief Executive Designate of the proposed National Meat Hygiene Service.

5.10 Among the veterinarians at MAFF, Mr Kevin Taylor became Assistant Chief Veterinary Officer (ACVO) in charge of animal health and welfare from January 1991 onwards. Mr Hutchins became Deputy Veterinary Head of Section in the Meat Hygiene Section (Red Meat) in June 1991, and was succeeded in July 1993 by Mr Peter Soul. Mr Peter Hewson succeeded Mr Walker as Superintending Meat Hygiene Adviser in November 1992.

5.11 In DH, Mr Waldegrave was succeeded as Secretary of State in April 1992 by Mrs Virginia Bottomley. Her place as Minister of State (Commons) was taken by Mr Brian Mawhinney. At the same time Baroness Cumberlege succeeded Baroness Hooper as Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Lords) and Mr Sackville and Mr Tim Yeo became Parliamentary Under-Secretaries (Commons), in place of Mr Dorrell. Mr Bowis succeeded Mr Yeo in May 1993, and Mr Malone succeeded Mr Mawhinney in July 1994.

5.12 Sir Kenneth Calman took over from Sir Donald Acheson as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in September 1991. Dr Gerald Jones was appointed Senior Principal Medical Officer (PMO) under Dr Metters in the Health Aspects of Environment and Food Division (M) on 1 December 1992. Meanwhile, in September 1991 Dr Ailsa Wight, a Senior Medical Officer (SMO) in that Division, had taken over responsibility for the provision within DH of medical advice on BSE/CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease) from Dr Hilary Pickles, reporting to Dr Roger Skinner, head of HEF(M)1. In January 1993 Mr Charles Lister took over responsibility for administrative aspects of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) and the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) Secretariat from Mr Murray.