A range of fatal brain diseases that occur in a number of mammals including humans. These diseases are also known as prion diseases. This name relates to the unique way these diseases infect their victims. Prion diseases are caused by the build-up of abnormal proteins in the brain.
Most of the legislation relating to BSE/TSE has been adopted in the form of safeguard measures, taken on an ad hoc basis. By definition, the adoption of such measures does not involve all Community institutions. They also do not provide for a fully consistent approach.