Written question asked by Martyn Jones (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 May 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 May 2001. It was answered by Nicholas Brown (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 May 2001 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, if he will make a statement about the consignment of sheep that was exported to France on 31st January and which tested positive for foot and mouth disease.

Answer: Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the consignment of sheep that was exported to France on 31 January and which tested positive for foot and mouth disease. [160950] Mr. Nick Brown: A consignment of 402 sheep was certified for export to France on 31 January from premises in Wales. In early March the French authorities blood tested 31 of the animals for foot and mouth disease before slaughtering them and seven samples gave positive results. The French authorities have now confirmed that the samples that initially showed positive results have been subject to further testing with negative results. They have concluded that the earlier test results were false positives. This explanation from the French authorities supports our view that, contrary to media reports, foot and mouth disease did not go undetected in sheep in Great Britain for up to two months prior to the disease being confirmed.

Secondary information