Written question asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative) on Thursday, 21 June 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 July 2001. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Thursday, 5 July 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, 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.

Answer: 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.

Secondary information