BSE: Publications
- Monthly Report
- Progress Report
- Chronology
- Advisory Notes
- TSE Surveillance Helpline Leaflet
- Exporter guide
- Research into sheep TSEs
- Other online publications
- Forms
BSE: Monthly report on measures taken by the UK
Reports on the application of the protective measures
taken against BSE in accordance with national and European Community provisions.
Prepared and submitted to the European Commission in accordance with Article
15 of Council Decision 98/256. These reports are available in 
format.
- On 2 May 2006, Regulation (EC) No.657/2006 came into force, repealing Council Decision 98/256/EC. This removed the requirement for the UK to provide monthly reports of its BSE control measures, to the European Commission.
- Copies of previous monthly reports are available upon request: ahweb@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
BSE statistics are available.
TSEs in Great Britain - A Progress Report (previously
BSE Progress Report)
-
TSEs in Great Britain - A Progress Report - December 2005
(1.04 MB). This report updates to 31 December 2005 information about
the measures taken to protect public and animal health in Great Britain
and about the progress in eradicating BSE. Previous editions are available
upon request.
- A summary
of the chronology of BSE in the UK
(151 KB) - July 2004.
- Review of Defra's Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies research programme (TSE Review 2007)
Advisory notes for farmers
2006
- BSE - These updated
notes
(403 KB) contain advice on what to do upon identifying a BSE suspect
animal. Welsh language version
(370 KB).
2004
- Scrapie - A
booklet
(288 KB) containing information relating to suspicion, reporting and
diagnosis of scrapie, and sources of further information and advice.
Welsh language version
(338 KB).
- TSEs in deer - A booklet
(288 KB) containing information relating to suspicion, reporting and
diagnosis of TSEs in deer, and sources of further information and advice.
Welsh language version
(345 KB).
- Guidance note on feed controls in the TSE
Regulations 2002
(215 KB).
TSE Surveillance Helpline Leaflet
This leaflet
(252 KB) reminds farmers of the legal requirement to notify the TSE Surveillance
Helpline to collect, test and dispose of all fallen cattle aged over 24
months, and gives contact details. Welsh
language version
(260 KB).
Exporter guide on exports of beef and products containing bovine material
- This leaflet
(442 KB) gives advice for those intending to export beef and bovine
products. Intending exporters are strongly advised to read this guidance
and seek further advice as necessary from Defra. Welsh
language version
(81 KB).
Research into sheep TSEs
Reports of two independent audits into an experiment undertaken
at the Institute for Animal Health to help establish whether BSE might
have been present in the sheep flock in the early 1990s and masked by
scrapie have been published. Reports of the audits carried out by the
UK Accreditation Service (UKAS)
(186 KB) and an independent risk assessment company Risk
Solutions
(720 KB), are available. A response from the Institute
for Animal Health
(29 KB) to issues raised in the reports is also available.
- The
Breeding structure of the Sheep Industry - 2003
(1.12 MB). This ia a large file size.
Assessment of risk due to BSE infectivity from disposal of sheep
At SEAC's meeting in November 2001, SEAC considered a risk
assessment by DNV consulting to assess the potential risk to BSE infectivity
from the disposal of sheep. This was commissioned by Defra and will input
into the contingency
plan
(87 KB) on possible actions that could be taken if BSE was identified
in the UK sheep flock.
Summary of the results of scrapie surveillance in sheep in Great Britain
- April 2003 to December 2003
(86 KB)
- January 2002 to March 2003
(777 KB)
Other online publications
UK strategy for research and development on human and animal health aspects of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) 2005 - 2008
In consultation with scientists working in the area of TSE
research the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC),
Defra, the Department of Health (DH), the Food Standards Agency (FSA),
and the Medical Research Council (MRC) have jointly published a strategy
for research and development
(3.6 MB - Please note that this is a very large file). An unillustrated
version
(447 KB) is also available for easier download.
This strategy highlights the major scientific uncertainties relating to TSEs and how well these will be addressed by the research and development strategies of the major funders.
The formal consultation period has now closed but the MRC would always be interested to hear your views. Please send these to: tsestrategy@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk
A summary
of responses
(24 KB) to the consultation exercise has been produced.
BSE Enforcement Bulletin - Published from August 1996 until January 2002. The monthly BSE Enforcement Bulletin described the ongoing rigorous enforcement of the BSE controls. Regular features in the Bulletin included results of audits of the SRM controls and the feed sampling programme. The publication also included details of BSE-related prosecutions and news items. The data previously included in these Bulletins is not collated into one publication any more, but is available at various locations on this site and the Food Standards Agency website. Copies of previously published Enforcement Bulletins are available upon request.
The Review of the Origins of BSE (July 2001) -
A report
(252 KB) by Professor Horn.
Review of the Evidence of the Occurrence of ‘BARB’ BSE cases in Cattle
An independent review
(177 KB) by Professor William Hill FRS, of the University of Edinburgh,
examined the possible reasons for the cases of BSE occurring since the
reinforced feed ban in 1996 together with the control measures being applied
by the government.
Defra response
(55 KB) to the Hill Review.
The following publications are available from Defra Publications or The Stationery Office unless otherwise stated.
Animal Health 1998: Report of the Chief Veterinary
Officer
TSO, 1999 A4 vi, 119pp
ISBN 0112430503 £23.00
Beef Production Systems to Enable Cattle to be Finished by 30 Months of Age
Written by ADAS beef specialists for MAFF, this booklet
is aimed at all beef producers in the wake of the BSE crisis and the subsequent
requirement for some producers to finish their cattle before 30 months
of age. It is particularly aimed at those who have traditionally finished
older cattle because they have more extensive systems or have been involved
in finishing traditional British breeds.
MAFF, 1996 A4 5pp
PB2758 Free
Consultative Committee on Research into Spongiform Encephalopathies: Interim Report (The Tyrrell report)
The Consultative Committee, under the chairmanship of
Dr D.A.J. Tyrrell, was asked to advise MAFF and the Department of Health
on needs and priorities in research on transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.
This interim report identified key research questions concerning BSE and
recommended that substantial new resources be provided for the new work
identified as having highest priority.
MAFF, 1989 A4 20pp
PB0418 £3.95
Report of the Working Party on Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy (The Southwood report)
DoH, 1989
ISBN 1851974059 £2.00
Forms
- A number of BSE forms are available to download from the forms pages of the Defra website.
Further information is available on our Help
page about downloading or reading Adobe Acrobat
documents.
Page last reviewed:
10 October, 2006
Page last modified:
19 March, 2008