Written question asked by Baroness Browning (Conservative) on Wednesday, 6 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 15 December 2000. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Friday, 15 December 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in which scientific journals post mortem tests for BSE used in other EU countries have been subject to peer review; and if he will arrange for these papers to be placed in the Library. - Including figures and ref to report to be placed in Library. (Dep 00/1890).

Answer: Mrs. Browning: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which scientific journals post mortem tests for BSE used in other EU countries have been subject to peer review; and if he will arrange for these papers to be placed in the Library. [141717] Ms Quin: [holding answer 11 December 2000]: According to our information none of the post mortem tests for BSE used in the EU have been submitted to a peer reviewed journal. However, the EC has undertaken an independent evaluation of BSE diagnostic tests. Four tests were submitted last year and a report outlining the results of this evaluation was published in July 1999. I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library. The EC recently announced that an evaluation of five new tests for BSE will begin shortly.

Secondary information