But last year, the country discovered its first case, triggering widespread public concern and anger. Allegations that government ministers knew for almost a year that German beef was not safe forced two cabinet ministers to resign. Germany banned animal products from cattle feed seven years ago, but until December 2000 it was still legal to feed meat and bone meal to pigs and poultry. Cabinet approved a decision 31 January to slaughter 400,000 cows over 30 months old. Back to top First case in Italian-born cattle reported in January 2001.
Butchers now have to display country of origin and place of slaughter on all fresh meat.
Many restaurants followed suit. New regulations to improve veterinary monitoring in slaughter houses and a ban on bonemeal being fed to cows and sheep have recently been introduced. Back to top Figures of BSE cases are provided by the European Commission and indicate cases reported up to the end of January 2001.