Written question asked by Peter Ainsworth (Conservative) on Friday, 14 December 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 January 2002. It was answered by Baroness Beckett (Labour) on Monday, 14 January 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, how many samples tested for foot and mouth disease of (a) cattle, (b) sheep, (c) pigs and (d) other species proved (i) positive and (ii) negative. - Includes figures. (Holding answer 19 December 2001).

Answer: Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many samples tested for foot and mouth disease of (a) cattle, (b) sheep, (c) pigs and (d) other species proved (i) positive and (ii) negative. [24089] Margaret Beckett: [holding answer 19 December 2001]: Details of individual samples taken are not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, 2,359 premises which were affected by foot and mouth disease had samples taken for laboratory testing, of which 1,328 returned positive results and 1,026 returned negative results. I should point out in this context that a negative result does not necessarily mean that there is no virus present. Five results are currently unknown. Source: DEFRA Disease Control System database as at 17:00 18 December 2001.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 378 c120W;378 c118W; 24089
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Cattle Disease control Foot and mouth disease Livestock Pigs Testing Sheep
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk