Scientists refused access to government BSE data

13 March 1998

Scientists refused access to government BSE data

A LEADING infectious disease expert wrote to the BSE Inquiry telling
how he and other independent specialists had been refused access to
the governments BSE database.

Roy Anderson, professor of epidemiology at Oxford University, said
he was refused access to the database between 1989-1991. He claims
he and other specialists could have revealed inadequacies in the
governments precautions to prevent the spread of BSE.

Anderson returned to the issue in 1996 when, he claims, it again
proved difficult to see the database. He managed to obtain some data
after a delay but, according to his written evidence, he struggled
throughout 1997 to gain access to information.

The Guardian carries a feature on how Labour is picking up
the tab for Conservative “policy blunders”. These include costs
relating to rail privatisation as well as the BSE crisis. John Majors
government picked up a bill for £1.5 billion in its last year in office
but MAFF claims that the Blair government will have to pay
compensation to farmers of almost £2 billion over the next three
years.

Beef burger sales are booming, despite adverse publicity
surrounding beef. According to research from Mintel, spending on
burgers in the UK grew grown from £918 million to £1.17 billion between
1993 and 1997. Estimated expenditure for this year is £1.3 billion.

• Financial Times 13/03/98 page 9
  
• The Scotsman 13/03/98 page 16
  
• The Guardian 13/03/98 page 17