A continuing decline in the observed cases of BSE is reported in official tables. The following figures are given for the period to the end of October 1999. BSE Enforcement Bulletin 41, MAFF, December 1999. The dates refer to the year when the animal was first suspected of harbouring the disease, and the figures are for animals finally confirmed as having the disease.
Recent figures are still provisional.
UK legislation permits cattle and sheep to be fed with cattle tallow and cattle gelatine, dried cattle blood and sheep blood, and blood products. There is also the possibility of serious under-reporting of the disease, as there are substantial financial advantages attached to herds with no known cases. Farmers in possession of such a herd may prefer to send to the abattoir any animals showing any half-suspicious symptoms, without calling a vet. . Thus, for example, during December 1999 there should be no cases of BSE diagnosed in animals younger than 40 months old. Not all cases were confirmed until compulsory slaughter legislation was introduced in 1998.