HL Deb 05 June 1989 vol 508 cc714-6WA
The Earl of Kimberley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Government have taken the necessary action to protect human and animal health in relation to bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

Baroness Trumpington

Yes, in a number of ways:

  • — It was intelligence gathering and research by the State Veterinary Service (SVS) which identified BSE as a new disease of cattle in November 1986. Further research at the CVL and Neuropathogenesis Unit, Edinburgh, has shown that it is one of a group of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.
  • — The most likely cause of the disease, which is the feeding of ruminant based rations originating from scrapie infected sheep, was established through research at the CVL as part of a comprehensive study of herds with affected cattle. As soon as this became clear, the Government imposed, from 18th July last year, a feed ban on ruminant based protein.
  • — When the clinical symptoms of the disease and techniques available to confirm it were firmly established through the examination of brain tissue, it was, on 21st June 1988, made notifiable.
  • — In April 1988 the Government set up an independent Working Party under the Chairmanship of Sir Richard Southwood, Professor of Zoology at Oxford University, to look at BSE and to advise, particularly on any human health implications.
  • — An interim recommendation was made in June 1988 that, although there was no evidence of a risk to humans, as a precautionary measure, all cattle suspected of having BSE should be slaughtered and destroyed to take them out of the food chain. The Government acted promptly on this and the slaughter policy began on 8th August.
  • — A research committee, under the Chairmanship of Dr. David Tyrrell, has been established to advise on research in relation to BSE and the other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies following another interim recommendation.
  • — Further interim recommendations were made in November 1988, firstly, again as a precautionary measure, to destroy milk from suspect cattle and secondly to extend the feed ban indefinitely. Legislative measures came into force in December to prohibit the use of that milk for human or animal consumption (except the cow's own calf) and to extend the feed ban. It will continue in 715 force unless methods which destroy the BSE agent can be identified.

Following the publication of the Southwood Report on 27th February 1989, which welcomed the Government's action to deal with the disease, including the pre-empting and present implementation of interim recommendations, and which concluded that the risk of transmission to humans was remote, the Government agreed to take further measures as part of a comprehensive response to all the working party's recommendations. These are:

  • — Following expert advice, the establishment shortly of a research project which will continue the study already under way to determine whether cattle to cattle transmission can take place.
  • — The issuing by 15th March of additional guidance to medicine manufacturers using bovine material on good manufacturing practice.
  • — A continuing and thorough research programme into the epidemiological background to the disease, its transmissibility, and genetic and microbiological aspects. The Government will also be taking into account the advice given to them by the Tyrrell Committee.
  • — A review by the Health and Safety Executive to determine what guidance may be appropriate in relation to all diseases of 716 animals, including BSE, that may present a hazard during occupational exposure.
  • — Although there is no evidence of a link between Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (CJD) and scrapie, the monitoring of the former so that any change in the pattern of the disease is detected.
  • — As a matter of extreme prudence, following a suggestion in the Southwood Report, the introduction of legislation to guard against any future use of certain offals in baby foods, even though they are not currently used in their manufacture.

The Government's commitment to protecting human and animal health following the emergence of BSE is clearly shown by the action already taken and the further action which will be taken if it is shown to be necessary. In financial terms it will probably mean a resource commitment in excess of £ 6 million in this financial year.