The BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) crisis, also known as mad cow disease, emerged in the UK in the 1990s and raised serious concerns about the safety of the meat supply. The disease was linked to the feeding of contaminated animal products to cattle, a practice that was eventually banned. The crisis led to the slaughter of millions of animals and a loss of consumer confidence in the beef industry.

The BSE crisis was a major event in the history of food safety, and it was the subject of much commentary in the media and literature. Poets and writers explored the ethical and environmental dimensions of the crisis, raising questions about the sustainability of industrial agriculture. The crisis also contributed to the growing popularity of organic and locally sourced foods.