Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 21 November 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 December 2001. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Monday, 17 December 2001 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the risk of the transmission of foot and mouth disease from the consumption by dogs of fallen stock. - (Holding answer 26 November 2001).

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the risk of the transmission of foot and mouth disease from the consumption by dogs of fallen stock. [17969] Mr. Morley: [holding answer 26 November 2001]: Although experimental studies demonstrated a degree of susceptibility to FMD in some dogs, there is no direct evidence to show that the species has been involved in the transmission of FMD to susceptible livestock. There is a theoretical risk that dogs could be involved in the mechanical transmission of the virus by carrying infective virus on their paws or coat. There is also a remote possibility that the consumption by a dog of FMD infected material could pass infection on to susceptible livestock, particularly if the dog vomited soon after consuming the infected material. However, provided the dog had a normal digestive process, it is unlikely that any viable virus would survive passage through the stomach and intestines. It is considered most unlikely that this theoretical possibility poses a serious risk of spreading FMD.

Secondary information