HC Deb 16 November 2000 vol 356 c778W
15. Mr. Andy King

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that scientific advice to Ministers relating to BSE is published.[137148]

Ms Quin

Scientific advice to Ministers relating to BSE is provided by SEAC. Public Summaries of the Committee's deliberations including advice and recommendations to Ministers are published after every meeting and placed on the MAFF and DH websites.

21. Mr. Crausby

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent assessment he has made of the potential incidence of BSE in sheep.[137154]

Ms Quin

BSE has not been found in sheep except under experimental circumstances. Research has shown that in sheep BSE is similar to scrapie, the transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that has been present in British sheep for hundreds of years. MAFF is currently funding experiments to examine some 235 cases of scrapie for evidence of infection with the agent of BSE.

23. Mr. Plaskitt

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to improve communication and co-ordination between his Department and other Government Departments and agencies on issues relating to BSE.[137157]

Ms Quin

MAFF works closely with other Government Departments and agencies on BSE issues. Departments and agencies meet monthly to review BSE issues. Separate meetings are held as necessary on specific topics.