November 1998
The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee reported to ministers that an expected 43 animals infected with BSE would be slaughtered for human consumption in 1999.
April 1999
Three Court of Appeal judges ruled that a diet of McDonaldx burgers may lead
to "a
very real risk" of heart disease and that McDonarlds was guilty of animal cruelty.
April 1999
A Gallup Poll for the Realeat Company showed that 45% of the population are actively reducing their consumption of red meat and that for the first time taste was cited as the leading reason for doing so.
April 1999
Results from a 1998 survey of meat products were published showing that 14.6% of samples contained species of meat other than those declared on the label.
June 1999
High levels of Dioxin were found in manufactured animal feed in Belgium. Poultry, pigs and cattle may have been fed contaminated feed. Poultry meat and eggs containing cancer causing dioxin at up to 700 times permitted health levels were found. Dioxin can not be removed by pasteurisation, conventional processing or cooking. It can severely affect the immune and nervous systems as well as causing cancer.
July 1999
The Calf Processing Aid Scheme, set up as a result of the BSE crisis, closed on 31 July. 1,986,758 calves had been slaughtered or "processed" since April 1996.
July 1998
Diarrhetic shellfish poison was found in 10% of shellfish samples, recorded off the British coast, over the previous year.
August 1999
The French Government admitted that some of its animal feed processing plants had been using untreated sewage, residues from septic tanks and effluent from abattoirs in the preparation of feed for pigs and chickens.
August 1999
The Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food published evidence showing conclusively that antibiotics given to animals had led to the emergence of bacteria resistant to anti-biotics and capable of infecting humans. They concluded that anti-biotic resistant organisms harboured by the animals could be transferred to humans via the food chain.
August 1999
A MAFF study found low levels of carcinogenic dioxins and PCBs in all the samples of different brands of fish fingers bought in supermarkets, and higher levels in fresh fish sold for the table, especially oily fish.
September 1999
National Farmers Union review estimates 1999/2000 income for Hill farmers will average just £5,300. Lamb prices are down 25% and cull ewes are worthless. Sheep and calves are dumped at animal sanctuaries across the UK.
September 1999
A collaborative analysis of data from five prospective studies comparing the death rates from common diseases of vegetarians with those of non vegetarians with a similar lifestyle (data from 76,172 men and women) found mortality from heart disease was 24% lower in vegetarians than meat eaters. Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
September 1999
Current estimates predict that the cost of the BSE crisis will shortly reach £4.2 billion. It is expected that taxpayers will continue to foot the bill for the crisis for a further fifteen years.
September 1999
The beef on the bone ban remains in place.
The Government announce a £150 million aid package fore struggling livestock farmers.
Consumer Challenge - September 20
1. Does anyone know a good reason to eat meat?
2. 50 Reasons why it makes sense to be a vegetarian
3. Background notes on issues affecting the meat industry over the past twelve months
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