HC Deb 05 July 2001 vol 371 c282W
Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if livestock owners whose animals are being blood-tested by her Department's vets and officials will be allowed to keep a part of samples taken. [346]

Mr. Morley

No. Samples of blood taken for testing are potentially contaminated with foot and mouth disease virus, which is a specified pathogen controlled under the Specified Animal Pathogens Order 1998 (SAPO). No one may possess a specified animal pathogen or material which contains a specified pathogen unless they are licensed to do so under SAPO and have the necessary facilities to ensure the safe containment of the pathogen concerned in relation to the risk it poses.