Written question asked by Lord Blencathra (Conservative) on Tuesday, 3 July 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 13 July 2001. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Friday, 13 July 2001 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many foot and mouth blood samples are awaiting processing at Pirbright; and what is the time from submission from the farm to confirmed result. - Inc figures.

Answer: David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many foot and mouth blood samples are awaiting processing at Pirbright; and what is the time from submission from the farm to confirmed result. [2738] Mr. Morley: As of Friday 6 July 2001 there were approximately 30,000 sera awaiting test. The time between the receipt of samples at the Pirbright laboratory and the submission of confirmed results to DEFRA depends upon the initial result and whether secondary testing is required. Over 40 per cent. of samples were being reported within seven days of receipt. Testing is also taking place at the Centre for Applied Microbiological Research at Porton Down and the VLA laboratory at Penrith.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 2738; 371 c686W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Administrative delays Foot and mouth disease Livestock Testing Institute for Animal Health
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk