§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the scientific evidence concerning maternal transmission of BSE; and if he will make a statement. [7979]
§ Mrs. BrowningThe Minister received advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory CommitteeSEAC—on the interim results of a comparative trial of cattle on 29 July. This indicated that there was evidence of maternal transmission. However, alternative scientific views were put forward subsequently. The Minister has therefore asked SEAC to reconsider this when the final results of the trial are available in the new year.