§ Mr. McCuskerTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when was the most recent case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy confirmed in Northern Ireland; and what assessment he has made of whether it indicates any spread of the disease.
§ Mr. ViggersThe 13th case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Northern Ireland was confirmed on 3 April 1989.
BSE is not thought to spread from animal to animal. The Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland has implemented the recommendations of the Southwood committee. These recommendations are intended to prevent further infection of bovines but it must be borne in mind that they cannot prevent cases arising in animals incubating the disease from earlier exposure to the infective agent. As the disease takes a number of years to manifest itself clinically it will be some time before the ultimate success of the measures taken can be assessed.