HC Deb 30 April 1996 vol 276 cc486-8W
Mr. Welsh

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has undertaken to assess the susceptibility of different cattle breeds to BSE (a) by epidemiology and (b) by experiment. [23368]

Mrs. Browning

[holding answer 28 March 1996]: Epidemiological studies of the epidemic suggest that all breeds of cattle are susceptible to BSE, and that the numbers of cases confirmed by breed reflect the population of that breed in the country, and the extent to which compound feed containing meat and bone meal has been consumed. Experimental exposures of cattle to BSE have not been intended to determine breed susceptibility, but have used calves of several breeds, including cross-bred animals. Breeds involved include Friesian/Holstein and crosses, Jersey and Jersey cross, Limousin and Limousin cross, Simmental cross, Belgian blue and cross, Charolais, Hereford cross. All appear equally susceptible.

Mr. Welsh

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the prion-related protein genes in different cattle have been sequenced in the research into BSE evaluated by his Department. [23357]

Mrs. Browning

[holding answer 28 March 1996]: Extensive PrP gene sequencing of cattle of several breeds in Britain has revealed no polymorphisms that are associated with susceptibility to BSE. Recognised polymorphisms are five or six copies of an octapeptide repeat sequence, with PrP alleles encoding proteins of 256 and 264 amino acids respectively; a cytosine/thymine switch at base 576 which does not change the amino acid encoded; an adenine/guanine switch at base 234, also without an amino acid change.

Dr. Strang

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has assessed in respect of(a) maternal and (b) lateral transmission of BSE. [23200]

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the most recent scientific advice evaluated by his Department concerning the likelihood of vertical transmission in cattle of the agent causing bovine spongiform encephalopathy; and if he will make a statement. [24118]

Mrs. Browning

[holding answers 28 March and 2 April 1996]: I refer the hon. Members to the answer that I gave on 25 April 1996, Official Report column 274.

Mr. Welsh

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many transgressions of BSE regulations there have been(a) in Scotland, (b) in the rest of the United Kingdom and (c) in each of the regions of (a) and (b). [23365]

Mrs. Browning

[holding answer 28 March 1996]: Enforcement of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Order 1991, as amended, is the responsibility of local authorities. Until 1 April 1995, local authorities were also responsible for enforcement of the controls on specified bovine offals in slaughterhouses and head-boning plants. Information on enforcement before that date is not therefore held centrally. It is not possible, without disproportionate costs, to collect and collate this information from local authorities.

Since 1 April 1995 the Meat Hygiene Service has been responsible for enforcement of the controls on specified bovine materials. To date, there is one case before the court. A number of other cases are under investigation.

The State Veterinary Service regularly monitors the enforcement of the controls in slaughterhouses and elsewhere on specified bovine offals, which are required to be separated and disposed of by incineration or burial. The results of recent surveillance of slaughterhouses and head-boning plants were announced in the House on 19 July and updated on 22 November, 18 January and 30 April.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to provide for the dumping of BSE-infected carcases in the sea; what scientific studies he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the impact on the marine food chain; and if he will make a statement; [26855]

Mr. Baldry

[holding answer 29 April 1996]: In his statement of 16 April, Official Report, columns 513–29, my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced that the waste material, offals and carcase meat resulting from the over 30 months bovine cull scheme will be treated primarily by rendering with the resultant material to be disposed of by the best practicable environmental option. Dumping at sea of BSE-infected carcase or any other bovine material is not an option under consideration.