Written question asked by Andrew George (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 4 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 November 2004. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 November 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the risk posed to human health by the consumption of deer in relation to bovine TB; and what discussions he has had with the Food Standards Agency on this issue.

Answer: Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the risk posed to human health by the consumption of deer in relation to bovine TB; and what discussions she has had with the Food Standards Agency on this issue. [197332] Miss Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply. The Food Standards Agency has advised that bacteria are killed by proper cooking and there are no recorded instances of humans catching bovine TB from the consumption of meat.

Secondary information