Is there still any concern over eating meat in England? If not, what has been done to eradicate the problem-- and what certainty is there that the government has done enough or taken the right steps? I know, in the U.S., you can't trust the media, because this is such a big industry. Also, if there are questions concerning this, then is chicken, fish or milk safe?

&lt;&lt;Is there still any concern over eating meat in England?&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>No, there is no longer any concern over eating meat in England.<BR><BR>&lt;&lt;If not, what has been done to eradicate the problem-- and what certainty is there that the government has done enough or taken the right steps?&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>Feeding practices have been changed. <BR><BR>&lt;&lt;is chicken, fish or milk safe?&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>Yes.<BR><BR><BR>

Do you know for sure that the feeding practices have changed- everywhere? And where are you getting the info.? -is it credible?

What was I think responding to a question like this?<BR><BR>You're right. It's unknowable.<BR><BR>I recommend that you raise a cow by hand, feeding it only grass you have personally tasted yourself. Then slaughter it and carry that side of beef with you on your trip.<BR>

xx- you have the same name & web-site that I have!<BR>If it is unknowable that the meat may not be safe, then why are so many, as yourself, so quick to remark that it is safe to eat and to state that there is no longer any problem?<BR>I'm actually a vegetarian (& eat fish), but wondering the degree to which the government has solved the problem and what info. the people in England are receiving and from what source. Or, if there is anyone in the know that can verify and specify some facts, I'd be glad to hear those comments. <BR>

Regulations about feeding practices definitely have changed: feed may no longer contain residues from other cattle.<BR><BR>However, old supplies of feed could certainly be out there still, or willful violators. There is certainly no guarantee that you will not be exxposed. I strongly recommend that you stay away from beef. Also, be careful crossing the street, since that's much more risky

"xx",<BR><BR>Anything you ingest into your body has a risk element attached to it. The food is perfectly safe here. Is American beef safe with all those hormones that are pumped into the animals? <BR><BR>To be honest, you're more likely to get run over by a bus than to suffer any ill-effects from eating meat.<BR><BR>Mel.

Chicken breasts supplied to UK restauranteurs and caterers by several Dutch suppliers have recently reported to have been adulterated by cow and possibly pork proteins (detectable using molecular techniques which identify the small amount of DNA from the original animals which come along with the protein). The additional proteins are introduced as a means of getting the chicken meat to retain more water, so that it will be perhaps more tender and certainly more profitable. The chicken in question appears to originate in Brazil and Thailand (I think those were the countries mentioned). BSE is at least a theoretical risk. The anger of customers who eschew beef and pork is not so theoretical. <BR><BR>Industrialized food is problematic food, but small farm food also presents risks. Though, given what I know about the two I have to say that I prefer small farm food.

Dear xx<BR><BR>You're a “vegetarian” that eats fish???<BR><BR>Hmmm, isn’t that just a tad farcical? Do fish grow on trees? A “vegetarian” who eats the flesh of fish would be something akin to being a “semi-virgin”, I reckon.<BR><BR>Food for thought (pun intended) over 95% of species of fish are carnivores.<BR><BR>Thinking along those lines, I suppose that I too am a vegetarian, but I also eat beef. After all, the cow doesn’t hunt down and eat smaller cows. The cows (hopefully) eat their veggies instead.<BR>

regarding vegetarians that eat chicken or fish:<BR>although technically NOT vegetarian,it is easier than saying I don't eat red meat.<BR>Fish is usually not as processed as chicken and certainly not as much as beef/pork/lamb/so to call oneself a vegetarian is not so mistaken.

A small point, but: VEGETARIANS position is that “Fish is usually not as processed as chicken and certainly not as much as beef/pork/lamb/”<BR><BR>Since we raise and butcher our own beef, with NO additives, NO “processing” other than cutting up the meat and freezing it, by that criteria am I, too, a veggie?<BR><BR>(After all, I’m only 20 years old. Actually I’m 40, but I just don’t like to recognise or include the additional 20 years.)<BR><BR>It’s kind of like being a “little bit pregnant,” I suppose. Saying, “I don’t eat red meat,” is probably less confrontational than proclaiming oneself a “vegetarian” when one clearly is not (a vegetarian). A vegetarian, by definition, is one who eats only vegetables. Neither fishes—nor chickens-fall into that category. Anyone who includes them in their diet is emphatically NOT a vegetarian. We’ve diluted (and deluded) our language quite enough, thank you.<BR>

OK Windel,call it whatever you want.I don't really care that much.<BR> <BR>

ah, but not so bored that you couldn't respond!<BR><BR>I'm 42, but I've been sleeping for much of that time, so I really only think I'm 28 or so - is that how this works?

I would love to watch a "vegetarian" catch, kill, scale, gut, clean, fillet and cook a red snapper or such.

Every day I am see reports come over my desk regarding the latest reports of mad cow disease in Europe and let's just say that there still are problems there and people are being diagnosied at an alarming rate with CDD and other diseases associated with mad cow. Chicken, fish and other fowl is fine to eat.

If I an flying Ryan air, and I plan on taking no other luggage but I do want to carry on my own side of beef, is the per kilo excess weight charge the same as for any other hand luggage?<BR>

it's the same as hand luggage

it's the same as hand luggage

The total number of confirmed cases of vCJD in the UK is 115; the peak number of new cases in any one year was 28 in 2000, and that signs are that the numbers of new confirmed cases are declining (see www.doh.gov.uk/cjd if this issue worries you). Any one case is tragic, but these figures are not in themselves all that alarming, compared with approximately 3000-4000 road accident fatalities a year (which is one of the best safety records in Europe, given the volume of traffic for the amount of roads).

what really is frightening is the fact that so many people can become sick up to 25 years after contracting the disease! so no one really knows that they are safe do they?