§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department is conducting into the possible link between the use of organophosphates and the spread of BSE; and if he will make a statement. [52108]
§ Mr. RookerThe Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) has not found any evidence of a link between BSE and the use of organophosphates. The EU Commission's Scientific Steering Committee reached a similar conclusion in June. SEAC feels that consideration of a role for organophosphates in the epidemiology of BSE is an area where more work could usefully be done, but has not recommended to Government that it should be given priority over other research.
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