HC Deb 17 February 1989 vol 147 cc437-8W
Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action his Department takes to ensure the early diagnosis of sheep suffering from scrapie.

Mr. Donald Thompson

There is no diagnostic testing in live animals. Advice is available to farmers from ADAS on the control of the disease and flock owners may also participate in a monitoring scheme under the Ministry's sheep and goat health scheme.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the incidence of scrapie in sheep during 1988.

Mr. Donald Thompson

Scrapie is not a disease which is notifiable under the Animal Health Act 1981. However, the provisional figures for last year show that veterinary investigation centres diagnosed about 190 cases from samples of sheep brain tissue submitted for laboratory analysis.

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