In March a government committee considers the latest BSE research and concludes that the measures in place provide adequate safeguards for human and animal health.

In 1993 Sir Kenneth Calman, chief medical officer, repeats the assurance that British beef is safe to eat.

In 1994 the use of animal protein in animal feed is banned throughout the EU - with the exception of Denmark.

The European Commission allows beef-on-the-bone exports only from cattle certified to have come from holdings where there has been no sign of BSE in the previous 6 years.

BSE cases: 37,280