HL Deb 09 May 2001 vol 625 cc211-2WA
Lord Marlesford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish an updated table showing the number of cases of BSE confirmed in Britain each week during the calendar year 2001 to date, together with the moving annual total of cases for each 52 week period. [HL1992]

Baroness Hayman

The following table shows the number of cases of BSE confirmed in Great Britain during each week of 2001, together with the moving annual total of cases for each 52 week period.

Week Number No. confirmed each week 52 week total reported
1 20 1,837
2 38 1,814
3 14 1,804
4 12 1,782
5 11 1,762
6 12 1,743
7 35 1,733
8 14 1,711
9 14 1,695
10 11 1,675
11 7 1,637
12 14 1,614
13 5 1,597
14 21 1,573
15 13 1,565
16 6 1,559
17 13 1,541

Note: Week 1 is the week ending Friday 5 January 2001.

These figures are affected by a variable delay between slaughter and confirmation as a result of the various times required for laboratory diagnosis and administrative procedures. The time between slaughter and confirmation is on average six to eight weeks, but may on occasion be considerably longer.

Baroness Nicol

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make available the latest progress report prepared by the Minister of Agriculture on bovine spongiform encephalopathy. [HL2114]

Baroness Hayman

A further progress report on BSE in Great Britain was placed in the Library of the House today. The report outlines the measures which have been taken to protect public health since June 2000 and includes the latest EU requirements for testing and surveillance. There is also a section on the protection of animal health which covers controls on animal feed. The epidemiology section shows that the epidemic of BSE in Great Britain continues to decline in line with predictions. The report is also published on the MAFF website: www.maff.gov.uk.animalh/bse/index/html.