§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what circumstances the National Meat Hygiene Service is permitted to destroy samples of bovine tissue provided to it as suspect specified bovine material. [21238]
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe procedures which the Meat Hygiene Service would follow, if presented with samples of bovine tissues provided to it as suspect SBM, would depend on whether investigation showed that the samples were indeed SBM. If, following examination, the samples were discovered to be SBM, the MHS would rigorously investigate the circumstances of the case, gathering available evidence. When no longer required as part of the investigation and after appropriate photographs, the tissue would be stained and destroyed as such in accordance with the SBM order. If, following examination, the material is discovered not to be SBM, but is otherwise unfit for human consumption, the tissue would be stained and destroyed as unfit material in accordance with the Animal By-Products Regulations 1995. The MHS would undertake any relevant investigation of the provided material before destruction.