MAD COW DISEASE (Preventive measures)

Mr Goh Chong Chia asked the Minister for National Development what steps and precautions is his Ministry taking to prevent the Mad Cow Disease or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) from entering the food chain in Singapore.

The Minister for National Development (Mr Mah Bow Tan): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) and the Food Control Department (FCD) of the Ministry of the Environment (ENV) have taken several steps to ensure that our food supply is free from BSE.

Singapore was among the first countries in the world to impose restrictions on beef and beef products from BSE-affected countries. Only countries that can certify that they have been free from BSE for at least six years are allowed to export beef and food containing beef to Singapore either directly or through third countries. Food containing beef in this case include sausages, canned beef, beef soup stocks, instant beef noodles and gelatin. Why the six years? The 6-year period was determined from the incubation period of the disease in cattle, which can be up to five years.

AVA checks all consignments of beef and beef products at the point of entry. It also works closely with the Customs and Excise Department to detect smuggling of beef and beef products. ENV conducts regular checks on the retailers to ensure that the processed food containing beef or beef ingredients are imported from the BSE-free countries.

AVA and ENV will continue to closely monitor the BSE situation around the world to prevent BSE from entering our food supply.

Mr Goh Chong Chia: Mr Minister, all the countries that have ---

Mr Speaker: Will the Member address his question to the Chair?

Mr Goh Chong Chia: Mr Speaker, Sir, the countries concerned like Britain, France and Germany have all denied for years that they have BSE. Can we actually just take their word for it or is there any way that we could actually test the meat before it comes into the country?

Mr Mah Bow Tan: Mr Speaker, Sir, since the BSE was detected in these countries, Singapore has acted promptly together with other similar countries. As to whether we can test for BSE, I believe that, based on what the experts tell me, there is no such test available.