Topical question asked in the House of Commons, by Ann Winterton (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 25 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Topical Questions

Question: What action is the Secretary of State taking to validate the polymerase chain reaction test to detect tuberculosis-infected badger setts?

Answer: We continue to work on effective means of diagnosis. The problem, as the hon. Lady will know, is that there is currently no reliable in-field test to identify it. On bovine TB, the House will, I am sure, want to know that the injectable badger vaccine has been approved by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. That means that the six demonstration projects on which I have previously reported to the House can now go ahead in the summer.

Secondary information