§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any evidence to show that the incubation period of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle is diminishing; what was thought to be the average incubation period for the disease in 1988; and what is thought to be the average incubation period today.
§ Mr. MacleanThe evidence from the epidemiological data available so far suggests that since BSE was first identified the mean incubation period may have reduced slightly. However, it would be premature to make a definitive statement about the average incubation period and any changes which may have occurred until data about future cases have accumulated.
§ Mr. HagueTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether there have been any occurrences of spongiform encephalopathies in animals in London zoo; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanA spongiform encephalopathy was confirmed in an Arabian oryx and a greater kudu in London zoo in 1989.