§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to(a) encourage the reporting and (b) collate statistics on the incidence of feline spongiform encephalopathy, indicating the dates for each action taken; and if he will make a statement. [435]
§ Mrs. BrowningSince November 1994, the diagnosis of any transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in the laboratory, other than those produced by experimental means in the course of research, has been officially notifiable. A free post mortem examination for FSE to encourage the reporting of FSE cases by veterinary practitioners has been available through the veterinary investigation service of MAFF since May 1990.
Statistics have been collated by the Government since 1990, when the first case of FSE was confirmed. FSE statistics were provided for the hon. Member on 11 November 1996, Official Report, columns 73–74.