Written question asked by Owen Paterson (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 December 2003. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Thursday, 11 December 2003 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 badgers have been killed as part of the randomised badger culling trials; how many were tested for TB infection; and how many were culture positive for TB. - Inc figure.

Answer: Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many badgers have been killed as part of the Randomised Badger Culling Trials; how many were tested for TB infection; and how many were culture positive for TB. [142467] Mr. Bradshaw: As at 5 December 2003, 8,276 badgers had been culled in the Randomised Badger Culling Trials. All culled badgers are tested for TB infection. On the advice of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB, data on the prevalence of TB in badgers caught in the trial, along with locations of their capture and the incidence of TB in cattle in trial areas, once triplets are active, are not released. This is to protect the integrity of the trial, and for the security of Defra field staff and farmers co-operating in the work.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 142467; 415 c539W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Death Badgers Disease control Wildlife Testing Bovine tuberculosis
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk