HC Deb 08 March 1989 vol 148 cc533-4W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) on how many occasions for each year since 1980 establishments have provided meat for United Kingdom consumption whilst export licences had been suspended under the Fresh Meat Export (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations;

(2) how many times he has used his powers under the Fresh Meat Export (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that meat and other animal products from scrapie-infected sheep do not go for human consumption.

Mr. Donald Thompson

Scrapie has been present in this country for at least two centuries without any evidence to suggest that it has been, or can be, a risk to humans Neither has research identified any such risk. Such measures are not, therefore, appropriate.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make scrapie a notifiable disease;

(2) what steps he is taking to eradicate scrapie in sheep.

Mr. Donald Thompson

I have no plans to make scrapie a notifiable disease nor to introduce a slaughter policy.

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