Written question asked by Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru) on Monday, 14 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 February 2000. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 February 2000 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 live tests have resulted from the research which he sponsored as a result of the open competition for research on BSE diagnosis in cattle in 1994.

Answer: Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what live tests have resulted from the research which he sponsored as a result of the open competition for research on BSE diagnosis in cattle in 1994. [110527] Ms Quin: No research on BSE diagnosis was funded following the open competition for research in 1994. This competition did not call for work in this area. There was, however, a competition in 1996 which resulted in three projects on diagnostic tests for BSE. One of these, which was designed to investigate the differences in metabolic markers in the live animal, is still in progress. None of this work has yet produced a test which can be used in the live animal. Useful post mortem tests have resulted from the completed projects. These are now being evaluated and developed further to improve their sensitivity.

Secondary information