Signal BSE led to a ten-year EU ban on British beef

Summary

The report explains the effect of animal disease on trade by pointing to import bans. When disease breaks out, other countries may prohibit imports. As a leading example, the report cites the ten-year EU ban on British beef that followed the BSE outbreak. Alongside this, it records that the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak cost the UK more than 8 billion pounds, and that outbreaks affect public trust and consumer behaviour and can leave farmers and vets with mental health problems. Linking animal disease to reliance on global supply chains, the report also observes that some diseases can lead to lengthy trade bans, and it expects disease control to improve trade reputation.