HL Deb 23 July 1996 vol 574 cc112-3WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many cases of feline spongiform encephalopathy have been reported for each year since the first report of this condition and in how many cases the animals were known to have been treated with sprays containing organophosphates or organosphosphate impregnated flea collars.

Lord Lucas

The total number of cases of feline spongiform encephalopathy recorded in Great Britain by year of confirmation is:

Year Cases
1990 12
1991 12
1992 10
1993 11
1994 16
1995 8
1996 1

None of these cats were born after the ban on including specified bovine offal in pet food. Veterinary surgeons notifying a case of feline spongiform encephalopathy are required to provide details of the animal's known medical treatments. The detail provided by the veterinary surgeon would normally include only those treatments prescribed by the veterinary surgeon. Flea collars which do not need to be prescribed by a veterinary surgeon would not therefore be included.

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