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Examines the impact of public fears about bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on European beef consumption. Why European consumers are eating less beef; Alternative meats which are gaining popularity; Measures taken by the European Union to stop the epidemic; Economic impact of lowered demand for beef; Health factors associated with consumption of different meats; Increase in sales of organic beef and other organic crops; How this could affect national cuisines. INSETS: No Beef? Try Ostrich, by Stacey Vanek Smith;A Tale of Two Restaurants.

Focuses on the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Europe as of December 11, 2000. Contraction of BSE by humans, which causes the fatal variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; Effect that BSE has on beef markets throughout Europe; The slaughter of cattle due to the threat of BSE infection; Lack of knowledge about the disease. INSET: The Tragedy of Queniborough, by Helen Gibson.

Focuses on Renate Kunast, Germany's Minister for Consumer Protection, Food, and Agriculture. Her support for organic farming; How she has handled the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and foot-and-mouth disease epidemics; Complaint of farmers that she has done little to reform the Agriculture Ministry; Her support of changes in the European Union's Common Agriculture Policy; How Kunast favors the consumer over the farmer.