HC Deb 06 June 1989 vol 154 cc11-2W
Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if any tests exist to diagnose the presence of scrapie or bovine spongiform encephalopathy infected material in animal feed.

Mr. Donald Thompson

There is no test available.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 22 May,Official Report, column 375, when he first introduced recording procedures in respect of the progeny of bovine spongiform encephalopathy-infected cattle; how such recording takes place; and how many such progeny have so far been recorded in each year of the scheme's operation.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The collection and recording of data from all affected herds commenced in June 1987 and included details of all previously known cases. The Ministry's central veterinary laboratory holds computerised records of female progeny born up to six months before or at any time after the onset of clinical symptoms of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the dam and which are being retained in their herds of origin. Up to 9 May 1989 details of 562 such progeny had been recorded. Details of the years in which they were recorded are not held as the information is of no epidemiological value.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 22 May,Official Report, column 375, under what provision he has taken power to control the movement of progeny from bovine spongiform encephalopathy infected cattle.

Mr. Donald Thompson

Powers to control the movement of progeny are provided by article 7 of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (No. 2 ) Order 1988, which is made under section 8 of the Animal Health Act 1981.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence his Department has concerning the relative concentration level of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy agent in the brains, spinal columns and thymus of infected animals.

Mr. Donald Thompson

Proposals for research into this area are currently being considered by Dr. Tyrrell's research consultative committee.