Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what co-operative arrangements are in place between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to prevent the importing of bovine spongiform encephalopathy into the United Kingdom; and what measures are taken to prevent its importation from the Republic of Ireland. [22937]
§ Mr. AncramOfficials from the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland regularly meet counterparts from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the Republic of Ireland to discuss all aspects of animal health and there is local co-operation with official veterinarians on both sides of the border. EU legislation requires all bovine animals imported from another member state, including the Republic of Ireland, to be accompanied by documentation and their importation to be notified in advance. Department of Agriculture veterinarians carry out random checks on such animals at their point of destination, including checks for any visible signs of BSE. Veterinary staff also inspect all animals presented for slaughter at meat plants to ensure that they show no signs of BSE. Any that show such signs are slaughtered separately and their carcases incinerated.
Mr. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cattle in Northern Ireland have contracted bovine spongiform encephalopathy in each of the past five years; and how many have died. [22940]
§ Mr. AncramAll animals affected or suspected of being affected with BSE are slaughtered and their carcases incinerated. The number of cattle in Northern Ireland that have contracted —that is, been confirmed as having—BSE in each of the last five years is:
- March 1991—February 1992: 179
- March 1992—February 1993: 398
- March 1993—February 1994: 477
- March 1994—February 1995: 309
- March 1995—February 1996: 153.
In some cases, affected animals die before slaughter. The number of cattle that have contracted bovine spongiform encephalopathy over the last five years and have died is:
- March 1991—February 1992: 7
- March 1992—February 1993:15
- March 1993—February 1994: 8
- March 1994—February 1995: 2
- March 1995—February 1996: 3.