Written question asked by Lord Pickles (Conservative) on Monday, 5 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 13 March 2001. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 March 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, when the risk assessment for the spread of foot and mouth disease on herds of wild deer will be published. - Inc refs to Animal Health Act 1981 and Foot and Mouth Disease Order 1983 and fact that final risk assessment will be published soon.

Answer: Mr. Pickles: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the risk assessment for the spread of foot and mouth disease on herds of wild deer will be published. [152686] Ms Quin: Farmed deer are covered under the Animal Health Act 1981 and the Foot and Mouth Disease Order 1983 as ruminating animals, and are susceptible to foot and mouth disease. An initial veterinary assessment indicates the risk of wild deer spreading the disease is low. As more information becomes available about the epidemiology of disease in the areas where there are wild deer, the risk assessment will be updated. The final risk assessment will be published soon.

Secondary information