§ Lord Pestonasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect to receive further scientific advice on the public health risk from beef bones from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee. [HL122]
§ Lord DonoughueThe Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) reviewed its assessment of the risk of BSE infectivity in the dorsal root ganglia and bone marrow of cattle when it met on 9 November. My right honourable friend the Minister has now received the Committee's scientific report, which was published on 30 November 1998.
The report is now being considered within government and in particular by the Chief Medical Officer, who will advise Ministers shortly. In addition, we need to take account of the potential effects of the EU Commission's recent proposal for Community-wide controls on Specified Risk Materials. Once this process of consideration is complete, there will be a further announcement about UK controls on bone-in beef.
Copies of SEAC's scientific assessment were placed in the Libraries of the House and are being made widely available, including on the Ministry's Internet website, with the purpose of informing debate.