Written question asked by Colin Breed (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 10 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 11 May 2001. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Friday, 11 May 2001 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will publish a cost-benefit analysis of (a) slaughter and (b) vaccination to control foot and mouth with special reference to (i) costs to the public purse and (ii) costs to trade. - Includes ref to risk assessment by EU published in 1993 to be placed in Library. (Dep 01/794).

Answer: Mr. Breed: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a cost-benefit analysis of (a) slaughter and (b) vaccination to control foot and mouth with special reference to (i) costs to the public purse and (ii) costs to trade. [158499] Ms Quin: A risk assessment analysing the costs and benefits of both a vaccination and slaughter policy was carried out by the EU and published in 1993. This looked at the cost for each member state of vaccinating animals and, if vaccination were not used, the cost of an outbreak for each member state. The assessment concluded that a slaughter policy would cost less than a vaccination policy. A copy of this study will be made available in the Libraries of the House.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 158499; 368 c469W;368 c470W
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Costs Cost benefit analysis Disease control Foot and mouth disease Vaccination
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk