06.12.2013

Edwina Currie praised the British Lion scheme as she launched version 7 of the British Lion of Code of Practice at Westminster on Friday, stating: “In Britain, provided it’s got a little Lion on, it’s safe.”
The launch of version 7 coincides with the Lion’s 15th anniversary, during which time it has effectively eliminated salmonella from UK eggs.
On 3 December 1988 Mrs Currie, speaking as junior health minister, appeared on ITN’s evening news and said: “Most of the egg production in this country, sadly, is now infected with salmonella.”
Her remarks caused a collapse in consumer confidence, and egg consumption slumped by 50% almost overnight. This resulted in farmers being forced to dump some 400m eggs, and cull around four million birds from the laying flock. The government was forced to introduce a £19m compensation scheme.
Amid threats of legal action and outcry from farming bodies, Mrs Currie resigned from her post two weeks later.