Written question asked by Peter Luff (Conservative) on Tuesday, 10 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 May 2001. It was answered by Baroness Quin (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, what resources are available to him to test milk and blood samples for foot and mouth disease (a) in his Department, (b) in other government departments, (c) in places of education, (d) in the private sector and (e) elsewhere; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Luff: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what resources are available to him to test milk and blood samples for foot and mouth disease (a) in his Department, (b) in other Government Departments, (c) in places of education, (d) in the private sector and (e) elsewhere; and if he will make a statement. [158479] Ms Quin: Milk is not routinely tested to confirm a diagnosis of foot and mouth disease (FMD). Tissue and blood samples for the diagnosis of FMD are tested in Great Britain only at the Institute for Animal Health laboratory in Pirbright. This is the world and EU community reference laboratory for FMD. The laboratory has the experience in this area, the trained personnel and uses internationally recognised, validated laboratory tests for FMD. It is licensed for this purpose by the Ministry, and operates under the very highest conditions of containment to ensure that there is no escape of infection from the laboratory premises.

Secondary information