Vol. 545 No. 3
32 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of cases of BSE reported to date in 2001; the number of cases of BSE reported in October 2001; the steps he is taking to counter the spiralling number of BSE cases in recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30159/01]
Some 210 cases of BSE have been confirmed to date in 2001, up to 23 November, of which 26 were confirmed in October 2001. The number of confirmed cases of BSE has increased this year, as a result of the additional surveillance conducted on fallen and casualty animals over 24 months of age and animals over 30 months of age. Of the 210 cases confirmed this year, 72 were confirmed in fallen animals which would not, in any event, have been intended for the human food chain. Finally, it is noteworthy that despite the vastly increased levels of active surveillance this year – 549,170 tests – no case has been confirmed in an animal born after May 1996. This is a positive indication that the enhanced BSE controls introduced in 1996 are having the desired results.
