§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what criteria are applied when consideration is given to the method of disposal of carcases of cattle confirmed to be infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy;
(2) why burial was chosen as an appropriate means of disposal of the carcases of cattle infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe criteria applied are as for other notifiable diseases; the carcase must be disposed of in a way that does not pose a risk to animal or human health. Both incineration and burial are safe methods of
470W(2) what action he is taking to ensure that cyanide contaminated fruit from Chile is not being sold in the United Kingdom.
(3) whether he is considering banning the import of Chilean fruit.
§ Mr. RyderThe Government have obtained full information from the Governments of the United States and of Chile about the anonymous threats made to the United States embassy in Santiago relating to action against fruit for export, and the subsequent discovery by the United States authorities of non-lethal doses of cyanide in two grapes in a consignment exported from Chile.
There is no indication that fruit other than grapes is involved, and the threat appears to be restricted to supplies consigned to the United States. My Department and the Department of Health have alerted the port authorities and the trade in the United Kingdom so that produce arriving from Chile can be thoroughly examined. In view of the transport time supplies shipped from the period of the threat cannot yet have arrived in this country.
The Departments will be maintaining a close watch on the situation. In the light of the existing position, no further action is justified at present.