This book explains the events leading up to the BSE crisis. The story begins in the mid-eighties when the first cases of the disease were reported in cattle and ends a decade later with the first cases of the new CJD, the EU ban on British beef exports and the implementation of culling policies by the British government. The author examines what happens when science, policy and politics interact and draws lessons for the future. It looks at issues such as the poitical handling of risk and the public explanation of uncertainty and discusses how they contributed to the crisis. It is argued that while the BSE story will not be repeated precisely, it can be equally sure that another food crisis is waiting to happen.