§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) cows, (b) pigs and (c) sheep received post mortem inspections for each year since 1982; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonBecause of the risk of spreading disease, suspected cases of anthrax are not subject to full post-mortem examination. Initial diagnosis is carried out by microscopic examination of stained smears of blood or other tissue fluids. The numbers of animals investigated as suspect cases are set out in the table. These cannot be separately identified by species but the majority will have been for cattle.
Number 1982 10,656 1983 13,215 1984 12,149 1985 15,101 1986 12,435 1987 12,122 1988 11,150 1989 (to date) 3,813