Written question asked by David Lidington (Conservative) on Monday, 14 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 1 May 2003. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Thursday, 1 May 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the Food Standards Agency's policy on testing sheep for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies using the test developed by Professor Prusiner of the University of California.

Answer: Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Food Standards Agency's policy on testing sheep for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies using the test developed by Professor Prusiner of the University of California. [109850] Ms Blears: Testing of sheep for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies is the responsibility of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the rural affairs Departments of the Devolved Administrations. I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that its policy is that such testing should be carried out using the most appropriate European Union approved test.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 109850; 404 c517W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Animals Diseases Disease control Testing Sheep Transmissible encephalopathies
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk