Volume 9: Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Part 1: Wales
5. Chronological account of specific Welsh issues
Emergence of BSE

5.1 Retrospective studies by MAFF suggest that an early clinical case of BSE occurred in Dyfed in July 1985. ¹ By mid-February 1988, there were 16 confirmed cases in Wales. ² New epidemiological evidence suggests that the disease might have spread initially not only from the South West of England but also from the southern part of Wales. ³ The annual incidence of the disease in Wales peaked in 1992, when there were 3,846 confirmed cases (out of a UK total of 37,545). ⁴ Between 1986 and 20 March 1996 the total number of confirmed cases of BSE in Wales was 15,202, affecting 4,926 herds.

5.2 Mr Roger Bollington, Head of WOAD 2 between 1986 and 1989, said that he first became aware of BSE in late 1986 or early 1987, during the course of a meeting of Regional Veterinary Officers. He was told that 'a disease had started to emerge in cattle which was irregular both in location and in relation to the herds'. He recalls 'being informed that the [State Veterinary Officers] were attempting to ascertain a pattern in the disease in order to enable them to attempt to deal with it'. ⁵

5.3 In June 1987 the Chief Veterinary Officer of the time, Mr William Rees, minuted the MAFF Parliamentary Secretary (Commons) - Mr (now Sir) Donald Thompson - to inform him that a slowly progressive neurological disorder of adult cattle had been identified which 'could have potentially serious implications, not only domestically but for UK exports'. ⁶ This minute was copied to Dr David Williams's predecessor as Veterinary Adviser to the Welsh Office, Mr H Evans.