§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he first learnt that a domestic cat had contracted a sub-acute spongiform encephalopathy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanThe school of veterinary science at Bristol university first consulted the Ministry's central338W veterinary laboratory on 1 May. A Ministry pathologist visited the university on the same day and collected samples for further investigation at the central veterinary laboratory, where the disease was confirmed on 8 May. We were informed on 9 May.