1997: Mad cow disease linked to vCJD
BSE, also referred to as ‘mad cow disease’, had been identified in 1986. The new studies for the science journal Nature found that vCJD and BSE were caused by the same infectious protein.
The EU had placed a ban on the export of British beef after a probable link between the diseases was established in 1996. Two months after the September 1997 findings, a selective cull of cattle began and a ban on beef on the bone was introduced.
´óÏó´«Ã½ Archive: Originally broadcast 29 September 1997.