He recalled that, at that OIE meeting, he provided member countries with 'an update on BSE, including providing information on the control measures such as the ruminant feed ban that had been implemented by MAFF'. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy was reported in four cattle in Ireland where energetic measures have been taken to control the disease. Complete batches of semen have been destroyed to prevent any risk of the infection being passed on. It is now a notifiable disease. The feeding of ruminant-based animal feed to ruminant animals has been temporarily halted.
Research is in progress to determine exactly how the disease is transmitted.
2 6.39 On 2 June 1989 the Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Thompson, sent a minute to the Minister, Mr MacGregor, copied to Mr Meldrum, Mr Cruickshank and others. In the Community, no country has thought it necessary to bring this issue to the attention of the Council of Ministers. On an international basis we have been, and will continue to be, completely open with exporters of livestock and users of animal protein. For example, there will be a meeting in the last week of June in Washington on this subject. This is encapsulated in paragraph 6 of my submission to the Minister of 2 June 1989 . . .