And they are having to work more closely with other ministers in programme reviews that span departmental boundaries.

ECONOMIST: Public spending

Last month EU farm ministers approved a programme to destroy all older non-BSE tested cattle to keep them out of the food chain, affecting up to two million animals.

CNN: Beef sales slump after EU BSE scare

Committee members will then decide whether or not to recommend the introduction of a screening programme to ministers.

BBC: Aneurysm screening possible