Written question asked by Countess of Mar (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Bach (Labour) on Thursday, 2 March 2006.

Animal Health

Question: Whether there is a frequent exchange of research findings between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ animal health researchers and the Department of Health’s human health researchers on the use and effectiveness of polymerase chain reaction tests for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in animals and humans; and, if so, which teams from each department are involved.

Answer: Defra is funding a project at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency to review the availability and merits of a range of polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in animals and man.In the normal course of scientific research, information is exchanged between scientists in a common field by publication of results in scientific literature and through presentations at conferences. This has occurred between scientists working to develop PCR tests for human and animal diagnosis.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 4135; 679 c89WA
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Diagnosis Research Testing Tuberculosis Bovine tuberculosis Departmental coordination Department of Health
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk