This POSTnote examines the current state of knowledge of ‘slow viruses’ such as BSE, the evidence relevant to the public health implications and uncertainties which remain. POSTnote 14. POST. 1990.
BSE & slow viruses (195 KB , PDF)
There are a number of rare transmissible agents in man and animals which attack the central nervous system and cause the brain’s grey matter to degenerate. Since 1985, cattle have succumbed to a bovine form of this disease (BSE) in increasing numbers, leading to a series of control measures by Government. Debate continues however, on the public health implications of BSE.
This POSTnote examines the current state of knowledge of ‘slow viruses’ such as BSE, the evidence relevant to the public health implications and uncertainties which remain.
BSE & slow viruses (195 KB , PDF)
This POSTbrief summarises the evidence on routes of human exposure to pesticides and potential impacts on human health. It outlines the regulations and surveillance programmes in place to track exposures and minimise risk. Finally, it comments on how regulatory changes after EU withdrawal could affect trade, industry and consumers.
A POSTnote describing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's mental health. This briefing summarises the latest understanding from research about the effects on children throughout the pandemic, and the factors that increase vulnerability to poor mental health. It also reviews policy approaches that seek to protect children's mental health, with particular focus on recent initiatives to address this.
The UK Government is introducing Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) from April 2022 to map where local habitat improvement and restoration could address national-scale environmental objectives. This POSTnote summarises the LNRS approach, including mapping ecological networks, the opportunities for LNRSs to deliver wider benefits to nature and people, and the likely challenges associated with the strategies and their delivery.
