Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

HC Deb 18 May 1995 vol 260 cc318-9W

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about bovine spongiform encephalopathy. [25536]

Mrs Browning

A further report on BSE in Great Britain is available today. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

The report provides information about the continuing decline in incidence of the disease, further proposed changes to the controls and the on-going research programme.

The number of cases of BSE being reported at present is 45.3 per cent. fewer than at the same time last year and there is continued downturn in incidence of BSE in five-year-old and younger animals. Both changes are attributed to the ban on feeding ruminant protein to ruminant animals which was introduced in 1988.

I have also arranged for copies of the BSE progress report presented to the Office International des Epizooties this week to be placed in the Library of the House.