Written question asked by James Paice (Conservative) on Wednesday, 2 May 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 May 2001. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Thursday, 10 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, what impact the foot and mouth outbreak has had on (a) regular tuberculosis testing of cattle, (b) the culling of badgers for the triplet studies of TB and (c) the validity of the triplet studies of TB. (Holding answer 9 May 2001).

Answer: Mr. Paice: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what impact the foot and mouth outbreak has had on (a) regular tuberculosis testing of cattle, (b) the culling of badgers for the triplet studies of TB and (c) the validity of the triplet studies of TB. [160671] Ms Quin: [holding answer 9 May 2001]: Almost all routine testing for TB in cattle has been put on hold, with State Veterinary Service (SVS) resources diverted to deal with the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. Some reactor cattle disclosed by testing carried out before the imposition of FMD movement restrictions are still being held on farms. Decisions on re-tests on inconclusive reactors and Short Interval Tests (SITs) are being made on a case-by-case basis according to the FMD situation in different Divisions of the SVS. The badger culling field trial has been put on hold. The Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB has advised MAFF officials that this should not affect the scientific validity of the trial. The Group is developing advice to MAFF on a strategy for the resumption of trial operations after the conclusion of the foot and mouth disease outbreak.

Secondary information