'Mad cow' politics tries to corral science
Article Abstract:
The politics surrounding the mad cow crisis in Britain opposes the European Commission's scientific advice to cull 127,000 cattle to reduce the incidence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). UK's plea to renew the agreement is based on a report that the epidemic phase of BSE will end around 2001, and culling will fail to make any difference to the rate of this decline. However, UK's interpretation of the report is inaccurate and serves domestic and political interests. In fact, the evidence of maternal transmission of BSE may call for an enlargement of the cull.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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Britain caught out by 'unscientific' reactions to Europe's beef crisis
Article Abstract:
The decision of the Standing Veterinary Committee of the European Union (EU) to continue its ban on UK tallow, gelatin and bull semen due to BSE disease reflects the political stance of various European countries. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) may cause Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. The standing committee has overruled the advice of EU's Scientific Veterinary Committee regarding safety of the products. The EC intends to bypass the decision of the Standing Veterinary Committee and remove the ban.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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Europe reshuffles its scientific committees following BSE crisis
Article Abstract:
The EC has announced a plan to reform the system governing its scientific advisory committees. The aim is to separate such committees from commission departments whose interests could conflict with public health and consumer protection issues. The move was partly influenced by criticisms from the press and parliament on the EC's handling of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy crisis.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
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