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Written question asked by Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 5 September 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 September 2025 (named day). It was answered by Ashley Dalton (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 September 2025 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Botulism: Shropshire

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help protect livestock from botulism disease in Shropshire.

Answer

The risk posed by botulism from poultry litter and other sources are well established in the agricultural industry. Farmers and their advisors know what measures can be taken to mitigate the risk. In some situations where risk analysis has been undertaken, several farmers opt to vaccinate cattle against the disease.

There is advice available on GOV.UK on botulism in livestock at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/botulism-in-farmed-ruminants/botulism-in-farmed-ruminants

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has published review articles in veterinary journals such as In Practice, which is available at the following link:

https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1136/inpract.30.7.392

The APHA Surveillance Unit also present on the subject with food safety lecture to undergraduates at veterinary schools in the United Kingdom and at conferences for livestock vets.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
75522
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Disease control Livestock Shropshire Botulism
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk