HL Deb 17 June 1996 vol 573 c6WA
Lord Marlesford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will estimate how many BSE cases would not have occurred each year if the prohibitions on the incorporation of ruminant protein in any feed for farmed livestock which came into force on 29th March 1996 had been introduced (a) at the time of the original 1988 "ruminant feed ban", (b) in 1993, (c) in 1994.

Lord Lucas

No such estimates are available. However, up to 3rd June 1996 there have been 27,177 confirmed cases of BSE in animals born after the ruminant protein feed ban, which was introduced in July 1988.

Epidemiological investigations carried out following the occurrence of BSE in animals born after the feed ban suggested that exposure was likely to be from a feed-borne source due to accidental cross-contamination of feeding stuffs with meat and bone meal.