Your response: from David Walker

Do you represent a special interest group?

No

Comment:

BSE Controls Review Food Standards Agency, 66-69

I am a farmer and freelance economist. While I have yet to be convinced that vCJD is contracted by consuming BSE infected beef, I recognize that in the interest of consumer confidence measures to exclude any possibility of BSE infected beef enters the food system are necessary.

I also recognize that current measures are expensive and the government is understandably concerned about the cost. I would, however, suggest that as it is a widely held belief that government's handing of the epidemic has resulted in the lack of confidence, so the government has the responsibility of bearing these costs.

I was pleased to see that you are addressing the issue of imported beef. As you are, I am sure, aware the true incidence of BSE in France is almost certainly higher than in the UK. While the six cases reported in France during the last week in September was exceptional, under reporting must now be accepted as reality. The European Commission suggested as much in their veterinary mission report in January 2000. The French program of random post mortem spot checks of fallen cattle has confirmed this.

This, however, is just the tip of the ice berg. If the French system failed to pick up BSE in sick animals, how much easier is it for their system to miss BSE in outwardly health animals destined for human consumption.

I would also point out that because of its whole herd slaughter policy a single reported case may represent a multiple of incipient cases. The six herds slaughtered averaged 200 animals per herd, typically this would mean about 100 milking cows and between 10 and 20 animals in each age cohort.

As it was our experience that, if there was one case of BSE in a cohort most if not all animals eventually contracted BSE, so the actual BSE incidence in France must be much higher than reported even before allowing animals that are 'missed' when being disposed of.

What is important to the industry above all else is a level playing field. The whole area of BSE is riddled with inconsistencies which add to farmers and government costs. Member states had to be bullied by the European Commission to adopt SRM regulations.

I hope your recommendations on beef imports are more frank than those in the draft. Consumers who are concerned about BSE in the context of vCJD will surely learn sooner or later about the French situation. We can not afford another confidence disaster that would result if you were found to have buried your heads on this as you seem to be doing. And we need a level playing field.