Example: SPS

Mad Cow Disease

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), often referred to as mad cow disease, is a central nervous system (CNS) disease that causes a sponge-like perforation in brain tissues of infected cattle, triggering symptoms such as the inability to stand and ataxia. An abnormal prion is believed to be the infectious agent and the spread of BSE is thought to have been caused by the practice of feeding cattle with meat and bone meal (MBM) derived from BSE-infected cows, thus containing the abnormal prions.

The vast majority of cases of BSE (more than 97% as of 2003) have been reported from the United Kingdom during an epidemic. However, endemic cases have also been reported in other European countries including: Ireland, Switzerland, France, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark.

Studies show that sanitary and phytosanitary measures are now the most significant barriers to international meat trade. While authorities responsible for the safety of their food supplies must be allowed to implement measures to protect against BSE and other public health threats, such barriers to trade must only be raised when absolutely necessary and after all the associated costs of implementation have been taken into account.