§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason the announcement of the results of her Department's tests into evidence for BSE in sheep has been postponed. [9854]
§ Mr. MorleyI refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 22 October 2001,Official Report, columns 19–22.
§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the reasons for testers confusing sheep and bovine brains. [9865]
§ Mr. MorleyAn independent risk assessment company has been asked to perform a detailed audit of the Institute for Animal Health experiment, including how the relevant samples were stored and handled. We have also asked the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) to undertake to a longer time scale a rigorous assessment of the chain of custody arrangements for the IAH project. We will not know the full facts until the results are reported.
§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to commission further research into sheep brains and BSE. [9867]
§ Mr. MorleyWe will carry out a thorough review of the full range of scientific studies presently being undertaken in this area. In doing so we will take account of the research being undertaken elsewhere in Europe and the views of the Food and Standards Agency and the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee. Findings will be made available to the House.