§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the original terms of reference of the Tyrrell committee on research into spongiform encephalopathies; and whether they have been altered in any respect.
§ Mr. GummerThe terms of reference of the consultative committee on research into spongiform encephalopathies were to advise the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Health on research on transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. On 3 April this 333W year I announced to the House, Official Report, column 542, that the committee was being reconstituted, under the continued chairmanship of Dr. David Tyrrell, as the spongiform encephalopathy advisory committee. Its terms of reference are to advise the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Health on matters relating to spongiform encephalopathies.
§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action the Government are taking on the Tyrell committee report on research into spongiform encephalopathies.
§ Mr. Gummer[pursuant to the reply, 9 January, Official Report, c. 572]: I have today received the spongiform encephalopathy advisory (Tyrrell) committee's paper on the control of BSE in cattle. This paper discusses the scientific background to the opinion which the committee offered on 17 May to the effect that there is no scientific evidence currently available to support official advice against the use for breeding of the offspring of cows suffering from BSE and that some possible consequences might even be unhelpful.
Copies of the document have been placed in the Vote Office and the House Libraries and the paper will be available from my Ministry's press office.