BSE controls final report, 20 December 2000, section 17, Research

90. Earlier in this report (paragraphs 25 and 54(v)) we have emphasised the importance of diagnostic tests. These tests can play a key role both in reducing uncertainty and in risk management. The principal possibilities include the following:

(i)mass screening of material from slaughtered sheep for TSEs. This will provide a better data base for assessing the prevalence of TSEs in sheep and changes in incidence through time;

(ii)mass screening of material from slaughtered sheep with a test to distinguish BSE from scrapie. This will reduce uncertainty in whether or not BSE occurs in sheep;

(iii)real time tests for TSEs of proven efficacy at clinical and sub-clinical levels in sheep and cattle could form the basis of future risk management. For example all TSE positive animals could then be eliminated from the food chain. This use of diagnostic tests is now being implemented throughout the EU (see paragraph 45).

It is acknowledged that this research will take time. Research underway on diagnostic testing for vCJD will also have benefits

91.The field of diagnostics is rapidly developing and available tools should be brought into use as soon as possible even where their sensitivity and specificity is still being improved. However, when the tests are being developed specificity and sensitivity must be considered in relation to target species.

92.Other research issues that have emerged from our review are:

(i)testing of cattle and sheep for carrier status (paragraph 30);

(ii)further work on infectivity of pigs and chickens (paragraph 31);

(iii)screening of deer (paragraph 32);

(iv)developing a method of analysis to detect the presence of MRM in meat products (paragraph 73);

(v)work on prophylactics for CJD recommended by SEAC which, we recommend, should be extended to animals; and

(vi)the expansion of current tissue infectivity studies (Annex H) to assess whether the most sensitive tests for material going into the food chain have been carried out and whether the sample sizes are large enough for the tests that have been done. In general this will involve intra-species challenge.

Recognising that many of these proposals relate to ongoing Government research, we recommend that all these research areas should be prioritised by the TSE R&D Funders Co-ordination Group⁶².

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⁶² - The aims of the group are to ensure that the programmes of R&D funded in this field address priority issues of national interest and constitute a composite strategy when considered as a whole. The secretariat is jointly provided by MAFF and DH and the committee is chaired by the Head of the R&D Directorate of the DH. Committee members represent the public sector funders of TSE research in the UK and the Wellcome Trust. Members are currently representatives from: MAFF, DH, MRC, OST, FSA, BBSRC, Wellcome Trust, Scottish Executive, National Assembly for Wales, HSE and R&D Office of NI.