Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

HC Deb 18 July 1989 vol 157 c95W

Mr. Graham

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate how many cattle infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy have been slaughtered for human consumption during the past year.

Mr. Donald Thompson

None.

Mr. Butler

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his answer of 12 July, what assessment his Department has made of a statement by H. C. Grant, MD, FRCP, a neuropathologist writing in a recent London Food Commission magazine, a copy of which has been sent to him, stating that bovine spongiform encephalopathy can be transmitted to chimpanzees.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The reference probably relates to the transmission of other spongiform encephalopathies to chimpanzees, since bovine spongiform encephalopathy has not been transmitted to them.