§ Lord Dubsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will report what BSE testing is being undertaken in the United Kingdom during 2001.
§ Baroness Hayman:Following the reports of an increase in the number of cases of BSE in some other European countries, the European Union has asked member states to carry out a survey for the disease. Starting on 15 January, the brains of at least 6,500 cattle over 30 months old which die on farm or in transit, or which are killed on farm but are not eligible for the Over Thirty Months Scheme, will be tested for BSE during 2001 in Great Britain.
This is in addition to the testing carried out when clinical symptoms indicate the disease may be present in specific animals.