Written question asked by Peter Ainsworth (Conservative) on Tuesday, 26 February 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 March 2002. It was answered by Baroness Beckett (Labour) on Monday, 11 March 2002 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, if the flock of sheep in Kirkby Stephen in which one animal was found to be foot and mouth antibody positive was tested for the presence of antibodies prior to its arrival on the farm. - (Holding answer 28 February 2002).

Answer: Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the flock of sheep in Kirkby Stephen in which one animal was found to be foot and mouth antibody positive was tested for the presence of antibodies prior to its arrival on the farm. [38825] Margaret Beckett: [holding answer 28 February 2002]: Yes, the flock of sheep from which the seropositive sheep originated had been tested previously for the presence of antibodies, with negative results.

Secondary information