A lot of time is spent bemoaning the state of Irish scientific endeavour, funding of research and development and success in turning theory into successful commercial practice. All the nicer then to hear of the success of Enfer Scientific in securing European Commission approval as the most rapid and specific means of eliminating BSE from the food chain in the face of strong competition from Britain, Switzerland and France. The success of the company's product at the end of a two-year testing process opens the door for it to profitably license its product for inclusion in testing programmes.