HL Deb 30 March 1999 vol 599 cc28-9WA
Viscount Exmouth

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are now able to inform the farming industry, meat suppliers and consumers when the ban on the sale of beef on the bone is likely to be lifted. [HL1614]

The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Donoughue)

My right honourable friend (the Minister) announced in another place on 4 February that the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Liam Donaldson. had considered the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee's latest scientific assessment of the public health risk from beef bones and had concluded, in a memorandum, that a public health intervention to lift the Beef Bones Regulations 1997 would allow that element of the food hazard which was originally eliminated (albeit reduced in magnitude) to pose a renewed, though very small, risk. He therefore recommended that, in line with the Government's risk reduction strategy on BSE, the existing controls on the sale, use and disposal of beef bones should continue for the time being.

Given the anticipated further decline in the number of BSE infected cattle during 1999, Professor Donaldson recommended that the controls should be reviewed again six months from 1 February 1999, paying particular attention to a number of points which he has specified in his advice. He also asked that during 1999 a full analysis of the age structure of new cases of BSE be conducted, that the success of control measures be audited and new predictions of the incidence the disease be made. In addition he undertook to continue work on providing estimates of risk in terms which will allow greater public understanding of the level of risk compared to other potential hazards, and to ensure that new cases of nvCJD continue to be monitored carefully.

The Government welcomed the Chief Medical Officer's memorandum and fully accepted all his recommendations. As has been made clear throughout, the beef bones controls were put in place to protect public health from the risk of nvCJD and will only he lifted in the light of scientific and medical advice. However, Ministers are encouraged that Professor Donaldson sees grounds for hoping that the situation will improve, and, if we can, consistent with a further assessment of the medical and scientific evidence, we will lift the ban after the review recommended by Professor Donaldson for six months' time from 1 February.

We appreciate that the delay in lifting the controls has come as a disappointment to many in the industry and to many would-be consumers. Nevertheless, the need to protect public health and retain confidence in beef and beef products remains the Government's paramount concern. In consequence we expect that the Beef Bones Regulations 1997 will continue to be complied with fully and enforced.

A copy of the Chief Medical Officer's memorandum is available in the Library of the House.