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Written question asked by Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party) on Monday, 25 March 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 27 March 2019. It was answered by Robert Goodwill (Conservative) on Monday, 1 April 2019 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

BSE: Disease Control

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has for changes to sheep ageing methods to control transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.

Answer

We are currently considering whether there are options for implementing a change to the method for ageing sheep in relation to control of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.

However, under EU rules, legal advice is that alternative methods to the accepted method of ageing by dentition may not be available to the UK as a third country if we leave the EU without a deal and wish to continue to export sheep meat to the EU.

We are aware of the concerns from the sheep sector about this and will keep the sector updated on our plans, taking account of developments with regard to our departure from the EU.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
236539
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Disease control Sheep BSE
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk