§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to her answer of 26 April,Official Report, column 92, what reports she has received of unconfirmed cases of spongiform encephalopathies in canines.
§ Mr. SoamesSince November 1986 41 brains from canines in Great Britain with signs of neurological disease have been submitted to the Ministry. None of these has been identified as being affected by a spongiform encephalopathy on laboratory examination.
We are also aware of on-going investigations into a single, unconfirmed case overseas. However, I am not in a position to provide further details, as the information was passed on in confidence.