Politics of BSE

SIR RICHARD PACKER initially trained as a scientist. He had a distinguished civil service career being the youngest Permanent Secretary ever appointed to the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, a post he held for seven years until 2000. His earlier career centred on the agricultural and fishing policies of the European Union. He is now a Non-executive Director of Arla, the largest UK dairy company.

'Richard Packer's book is the definitive account of the BSE crisis. It shows how myth and deliberate distortion have disguised the truth. This is an important book, not only for those interested in BSE but for anyone who wants to know how the truth about public events can get lost.' - Lord Waldegrave of North Hill, formerly Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and formerly Secretary of State for Health 'The Politics of BSE, [is] a rip-roaring 254-pager by Sir Richard Packer, permanent secretary at the mininstry of agriculture... it's a gem: a tad short on romance, maybe, but one helluva plot and such compelling characters. There's even a PM called Tony Blair, hampered by a congenital difficulty in distinguishing words from action. Here at the Diary, we say marvel at that mandarin.' - Jon Henley, The Guardian ' a must read for all who have been affected by the BSE trauma.' - David Richardson, Farmers Weekly '...his book will remain a prime source for understaning BSE and, more generally, for the study of policy-making under pressure.' - Political Quarterly 'Packer... presents a compelling case...The Politics of BSE is a timely and engaging exposition of the political drama that played out for years.' - Journal of the Institute of Economic Affairs 'Much of what is in these pages is of immense value, both to students of the crisis, and to those interested in the culture of Whitehall. There are good reconstructions of the chaos of crisis management, brutally frank appraisals of civil service colleagues and politicans, and plenty of insider knowledge.' - Michael Moran, Public Administration

• List of Figures and Tables List of Abbreviations Chronology Introduction The Cattle and Ancillary Industries Science and Research Slaughterhouses Chronicle of Events until 20 March 1996 The Establishment and Conduct of the BSE Inquiry The Findings of the BSE Inquiry Consideration of the Inquiry's Findings Events after 20 March 1996 (A) The Period of Conservative Government until 1 May 1997 Events after 20 March 1996 (B) The Labour Government from 1 May 1997 Onwards Conclusions Index