HC Deb 02 May 2000 vol 349 cc63-4W
Mr. Todd

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what tests are undertaken to ensure the safety of beef imported into the United Kingdom from countries where BSE infections have been notified. [117708]

Ms Quin

I have been asked to reply.

There are no tests available for the detection of BSE in meat. The three tests recently approved by the European Commission have been approved for the purposes of surveillance and are not suitable for testing imported beef.