In some European countries - such as Poland - the number of BSE cases continues to increase. However, compared to two or three years ago, the incidence of BSE has been decreasing in most countries of the European Union. Although the precautionary measures taken in 2000 seem to bear fruit, the continued appearance of cases shows that it would be premature to ease them.

Although there are countries that register a rise in BSE incidence, many European countries communicated a marked decrease in the number of BSE cases for 2005. Germany, e.g., saw their cases reduced from 65 in 2004, to 32 in 2005. And in France the number of cases dropped from 137 in 2003, to just 54.

The general decrease of BSE cases in the European Union is not surprising, as precautionary measures, such as the ban of meat and bone meal taken in 2000, were expected to lead to success in the years to come. Nonetheless, animals that were born after the complete ban of mammalian proteins in livestock feed (born after real ban, BARB) have been diagnosed with BSE in The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany and Poland. How these cases can continue to occur is unclear. Therefore, William G. Hill states in his report for the Defra, "It is essential that appropriate, risk based, controls and monitoring should be maintained on animals and feed until no cases of BSE are found. In view of the very long incubation period of BSE in some animals, long-continued vigilance is necessary."

An opinion that is shared by the German Federal Minister for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture, Horst Seehofer, who according to media reports, regards any loosening of the protective measures taken in 2000 as premature. It is Seehofer's opinion that despite the decline in the number of BSE cases, safety measures and surveillance programs have to be continued until confirmation of the complete eradication of the disease, in order to prevent a comeback of the BSE catastrophe.