§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what tests for BIV are carried out on imported milk;
(2) what evidence of BIV infection has been found in (a) British and (b) imported milk supplies; on how many occasions; and what action was taken.
§ Mr. SoamesThe Importation of Milk Regulations 1988, as amended, require all imports of milk from member states to be accompanied either by a health certificate certifying that the milk meets specified standards of production and hygiene or a commercial document or EC health mark indicating that it meets requirements in EC directive 92/46 on milk hygiene. All imported drinking milk is pasteurised, sterilised or ultra heat-treated. Imports of milk from third countries are currently prohibited. No tests for bovine immunodeficiency-like virus are carried out on British or imported milk. However, experience with other viruses suggests that pasteurisation would kill BIV. There is no evidence that BIV affects humans.