§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive further scientific advice on the public health risk from beef bones from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee. [61834]
§ Mr. Nick BrownThe Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) reviewed its assessment of the risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy infectivity in the dorsal root ganglia and bone marrow of cattle when it met on 9 November. I have now received the Committee's scientific report, which is being published today.
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 are being 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.