As the brain degenerates, they decline to a state where they cannot walk, talk or look after themselves. There is no known cure. Local vet called to farm in Kent to examine a cow behaving oddly. Later judged to have been the first case of BSE in Britain. Nov 1986 First official diagnosis of BSE, the neurodegenerative condition characterised by holes in the brain.
Government orders the slaughter of infected cattle.
Mar 1990 European Commission bans British exports to the Continent of cattle over six months old.