HC Deb 15 May 1989 vol 153 c56W
Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he intends to introduce routine testing of the brains of all cows for bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

Mr. Donald Thompson

No.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will consider banning the sale for human consumption of brains, thymus and spleen from all cull cows;

(2) what advice he has been given concerning health hazards arising from meat products from bovine spongifrom encephalopathy infected cattle being sold for human consumption.

Mr. Donald Thompson

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bromsgrove (Sir H. Miller) on 27 February at columns89–91.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at what level in his Department's regional structure the number of cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy is identified at monitored markets and slaughter houses.

Mr. Donald Thompson

Cases are identified at divisional level.