§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy were reported on farms in Clwyd in 1992 867W and 1993; and if he will give the number of beasts affected, indicating the local authority district/borough area.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe number of reported cases of suspected bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the county of Clwyd in 1992 was 752, of which 570 cases were subsequently confirmed. In 1993, 730 suspected cases were reported and 542 subsequently confirmed. The figures for 1993 are necessarily incomplete as the basis of the statistics is confirmed cases by report in the appropriate period. It is not possible to indicate the local authority except at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of whether every precaution is taken to ensure that the human food chain remains free of infection by BSE.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe Government are advised on matters relating to spongiform encephalopathies by the spongiform encephalopathy advisory committee. The Government are advised that the measures introduced since BSE was identified, which are based on independent scientific advice, prevent any risk of transmission to humans.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what research he has initiated into the potential link between BSE and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodA wide-ranging research programme on BSE is in place, based on the recommendations of the consultative committee on research into spongiform encephalopathies. This committee was reconstituted as the spongiform encephalopathies advisory committee, which reports regularly to the Government. Its last report was issued in June 1992.
Doctors are asked to report every suspected case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease to the national CJD surveillance unit in Edinburgh. The circumstances of each case are recorded fully and in particular all cases are examined for possible sources of transmission and any occupational factor. The unit was established in 1990 and provided reports in 1992 and 1993.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning BSE and the human food chain, including his advice concerning meat by-products.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health in May 1990 advised
Beef can be safely eaten by anyone, both adults and children, including patients in hospital".This has been repeated by his successor, Dr. Calman. Dr. Calman further stated that he was confident that all necessary action is being taken to safeguard public health.