Sir, - Mad Cow disease has now become Mad Cowen disease. Our Minister for Health has followed hard on the heels of his UK counterpart in advising against the purchase of prime beef on the bone. This is lunacy. How can we expect to promote our meat in Europe and around the world, if our Government is not fully behind the product?
We do not have to follow the UK on this one. Theirs is a more serious problem. The chances of picking up CJD - the human form - from eating beef, on or off the bone, is one in many millions. However, if I smoke cigarettes, which I can freely purchase, albeit with a health warning, the chances of ill effects are not one in millions. Rather, it is likely that they will affect my health and perhaps shorten my life.
I believe that the Minister's action is unwarranted. There are far greater areas for his attention. Let people have access to, and enjoy, one of the finest foods in the world. - Yours, etc,.
Gerald Potterton,
Moyrath Castle, Kildalky, Co Meath.