Written question asked by Ann Winterton (Conservative) on Thursday, 7 February 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 14 February 2002. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Thursday, 14 February 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, what assessment she has made of the effects of the suspension of the bovine tuberculosis testing programme during the 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease on the incubation and spread of TB; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Mrs. Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effects of the suspension of the bovine tuberculosis testing programme during the 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease on the incubation and spread of TB; and if she will make a statement. [35534] Mr. Morley: We will not be able to assess accurately the impact of the diversion of resources to deal with the foot and mouth disease emergency on the spread of TB until the backlog of tests has been cleared. As clearance of the backlog and routine testing is being prioritised according to veterinary risk assessment, the early results are from those premises considered most likely to be affected.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 35534; 380 c650W;380 c653W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Disease control Foot and mouth disease Livestock Testing Bovine tuberculosis
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk