Written question asked by Ann Winterton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 14 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 October 2004. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Monday, 11 October 2004 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 percentage of cattle herds are vaccinated against (a) bovine viral diarrhoea and (b) leptospirosis. - Inc no figures and fact that info on the numbers of animals vaccinated is not held by Defra or by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA).

Answer: Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of cattle herds are vaccinated against (a) bovine viral diarrhoea and (b) leptospirosis. [189600] Mr. Bradshaw: Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) and leptospirosis are not notifiable diseases. However VLA publishes quarterly reports which looks at herd prevalence, through analysis of bulk milk serology in dairy herds, in respect of BVD and leptospirosis which are available to view on their website. Information on the numbers of animals vaccinated is not held by Defra or by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA). All veterinary medicinal products are assessed for their safety, quality and efficacy before being authorised for sale in the UK. There are three Bovine Viral Diarrhoea virus (BVDV) vaccines authorised in the UK for cattle to protect adult cattle against infection or to protect the foetus against transplacental infections caused by BVDV. There are two Bovine Leptospirosis vaccines authorised in the UK to project cattle against leptospirosis caused by Leptospira borgpeterserenii serovar hardjo and/or Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo.

Secondary information