§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent advice he has received from the Tyrrell committee; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerAs part of their continuing work to maintain an overview of research into spongiform encephalopathies, the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee have presented to the Secretary of State for Health and me a report which reviews the work now underway in response to earlier independent advice about research priorities.
The committee notes that all studies justifying a high priority have been started, and they are content with the progress of implementing the earlier recommendations overall. The report adds that the committee believes that all the necessary safeguards are in place to minimise further spread of spongiform encephalopathies in animals and to prevent any risk of transmission to humans.
I am arranging for copies of the report to be placed in the Library of the House and will he arranging for its publication as soon as possible.