Critical issues:

• The risk of BSE in sheep had been recognised for some time
• It was known that sheep were fed concentrate that included the same meat and bone meal that led to the escalation of BSE in the UK cattle population prior to the ruminant feed ban
• It was also known that sheep could have been infected with BSE experimentally by feeding them infected brain material

Solution:

• The study objective was:
• • To quantify the possible risk of exposure in the human population to BSE infectivity in lamb and sheep meat based on a range of assumed infectivity scenarios

Value delivered:

• Ranges of potential risk exposures were estimated, together with data requirements to improve the model
• A range of risk reduction measures were identified and their risk reduction potential evaluated
• This study has been widely cited and considered as part of the subsequent policy making in this area