Public Risk Perception of Relaxation of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (Tse) Measures in Europe

Abstract

The so-called “TSE roadmap” was published by the European Commission on July 15, 2005. The transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) roadmap suggests relaxation of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle and other animal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies measures in the short, medium, and long term. According to the TSE roadmap, “Any relaxation of BSE measures following the scientific assessment should be initiated by an open discussion with all stakeholders and supported by a strong communication strategy” (European Commission 2005, 5). Bearing this in mind, a social scientific project was designed to (1) involve different stakeholder groups, governmental risk managers, and their scientific advisors and (2) obtain their perception of the TSE roadmap and of its implications for precautionary consumer protection in five European Union (EU) Member States. This study describes the risk perception and risk management of TSE in Europe as exemplified by the TSE roadmap. The following query guided the international comparative study: How is TSE risk perceived by four interviewed stakeholder groups in five studied countries? The risk perceptions of TSE of risk managers from the ministries in charge in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, as well as their scientific advisors and stakeholder groups, were determined. The stakeholder groups were from three different areas involved with TSE, including farmers, consumers, and the meat/food industry. The issue to be addressed is roadmapping an adequate instrument for stakeholder involvement and for risk decision making.

Acknowledgments

The study was supported generously by a grant of the European Commission within the Network of Excellence “NeuroPrion” (funded by grant FOOD-CT-2004-506579). The authors thank the members of the “NeuroPrion Risk Control Group” for various comments and helpful hints. They also thank all of the interviewees who contributed information and enabled this study. Last but not least, the authors are grateful for many invaluable comments provided by three reviewers of a previous version of this article.