HC Deb 18 June 1990 vol 174 cc471-2W
Mr. Onslow

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has yet received the report of the inquiry into the north-east drift net fishery; and when he now expects to publish this report.

Mr. Curry

I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply that I gave him on 26 April at col.317.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what specific research was considered by the Southwood committee into the transmissibility of BSE to household pets through pet food;

(2) what specific research further to that considered by the Southwood committee into the transmissibility of BSE to household pets through pet food (a) has been undertaken, (b) was in progress and (c) was under consideration by his Department (i) before the first suspected case of BSE-related disease in a cat and (ii) since.

Mr. Maclean

No specific research into the transmissibility of BSE to household pets through pet food was considered by the Southwood committee. No such research has been undertaken or is planned by my Department. Investigations are being carried out into the cause of the recent cases in cats. This includes the cats' breeding and feeding history. There is no evidence at present that the source of the recent cases of spongiform encephalopathy in cats was pet food or that the disease is related to BSE.

Back to