HC Deb 27 June 1990 vol 175 cc255-6W
Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what scientific research findings underlie the decision not to include United Kingdom beef sold in the United Kingdom in the new European Community provision relating to the certification of beef as being BSE-free.

Mr. Maclean

As far as boneless beef is concerned, the standards applied to meat for export will be the same as those for meat for the home market. As far as bone-in beef is concerned, I do not believe that there is any scientific justification for the Community measures.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has concerning the number of pathological tests carried out for BSE in each of the European Community countries.

Mr. Maclean

Cases of BSE have been confirmed in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. It became a notifiable disease throughout the European Community from 1 April 1990. I have no information about the number of examinations carried out.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions officials of his Department have been notified of suspected incidence of BSE in cattle which die or are slaughtered before being officially inspected.

Mr. Maclean

Precise information is not available, but the numbers are small.

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