Sheep BSE action

19 October 2001

Sheep BSE action

THE governments advisers on BSE were due to examine evidence today (Oct 19) that could show the disease has existed in sheep.

The latest results from the Institute of Animal Health were to be put before the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee. &#42

The Food Standards Agency indicated in the summer that the results "could be compatible BSE having been present in sheep". But there is confusion over whether a positive result would be legitimate. This is because of concerns that sheep brain samples collected in the early 1990s may have been contaminated with infected cattle brain material.