1-20 of 34 results for answeredby:"Lord Henley"
Librarians' tools
- Search time
- 0.219 seconds
- Solr query time
- 0.005 seconds
- Search query
- answeredby:"Lord Henley"
- We searched for
- answeringMember_ses:301167 OR answeringDept_ses:301167 OR askedToReplyAuthor_ses:301167
Subject
X
Bovine tuberculosis
Type
House
Session
Year
Department
Member
Primary member
Answering member
Legislative stage
Legislation
Subject
More
Bovine tuberculosis (34)
Publisher
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the project ““Evaluation of the protection efficacy of vaccines against bovine TB in a natural setting””; and for what reason.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the project ““Evaluation of the protection efficacy of vaccines against bovine TB in a natural setting””; and for what reason.
Asked by
Lord Kennedy of Southwark
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 August 2011
All Defra evidence contracts are closely monitored by Defra specialists working with policy colleagues. Contract variations are required if there are significant changes to any of the details in the original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, research team, etc).
Project SE3227 ““Evaluation of the protection efficacy of vaccines against bovine TB in a natural setting”” was amended in May 2010 to re-profile the finances, and £331,427 was moved from financial year 2010-11 to 2011-12. The total costs of the project were not affected. This variation was carried out as delays in the project resulted in work being done later than originally planned and the finances were amended to reflect the actual spend in the project.
Notes
Answer received between Thursday 21 July and Monday 25 July 2011.
Subjects
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Research; Vaccination; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
11 August 2011
Reference
11274; 729 c368WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held with the police with a view to implementing measures with the objective of (a) preventing injury to third parties while ““free-shooting”” or ““controlled shooting”” of badgers at night is taking place, and (b) preventing persons from disrupting or sabotaging such...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held with the police with a view to implementing measures with the objective of (a) preventing injury to third parties while ““free-shooting”” or ““controlled shooting”” of badgers at night is taking place, and (b) preventing persons from disrupting or sabotaging such...
Asked by
Lord Greaves
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 August 2011
Defra officials are working closely with officials in the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) on the proposed policy to allow groups of farmers and landowners in the worst TB affected areas to apply for licences to cull badgers.
Notes
Answer received between Monday 25 July and Monday 1 August 2011.
Subjects
Badgers; Firearms; Disease control; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
11 August 2011
Reference
11291; 729 c384-5WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the project ““Bovine TB vaccine programme””; and for what reason.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the project ““Bovine TB vaccine programme””; and for what reason.
Asked by
Lord Kennedy of Southwark
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 August 2011
All Defra evidence contracts are closely monitored by Defra specialists working with policy colleagues. Contract variations are required if there are significant changes to any of the details in the original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, research team, etc).
There are many projects related to the area of bovine TB vaccines, but project SE3218 ““Bovine TB Vaccine Programme Advisor, Prof. Douglas Young”” is the only project with the partial title ““Bovine TB Vaccine Programme””. There has been no variation to project SE3218 since May 2010. The last variation was in September 2009 which extended the project to its end date of March 2011.
Notes
Answer received between Thursday 21 July and Monday 25 July 2011.
Subjects
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Research; Vaccination; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
11 August 2011
Reference
11273; 729 c368WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will announce their proposals to control tuberculosis in badgers.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will announce their proposals to control tuberculosis in badgers.
Asked by
Lord Greaves
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 August 2011
The Secretary of State made a Statement in the House of Commons on 19 July announcing a comprehensive and balanced TB eradication programme for England.
Notes
Answer received between Monday 25 July and Monday 1 August 2011.
Subjects
Badgers; Disease control; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
11 August 2011
Reference
11287; 729 c384WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish the results of the consultation on proposals to cull badgers which ended on 15 December 2010; how many responses were received to the consultation; and how many of these were respectively in favour of and against the proposals.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish the results of the consultation on proposals to cull badgers which ended on 15 December 2010; how many responses were received to the consultation; and how many of these were respectively in favour of and against the proposals.
Asked by
Lord Greaves
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 August 2011
As set out in the Consultation on Guidance to Natural England on the implementation and enforcement of a badger control policy, published on 19 July, alongside a comprehensive and balanced TB eradication programme for England, of the 59,540 responses received to the public consultation carried out in autumn 2010, 31 per cent supported culling and 69 per cent were opposed.
Notes
Answer received between Monday 25 July and Monday 1 August 2011.
Subjects
Badgers; Disease control; Public consultation; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
11 August 2011
Reference
11288; 729 c384WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest information on the expected date of availability for an oral vaccine against tuberculosis in badgers; and, if this is later than 2015, what is the reason for the delay.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest information on the expected date of availability for an oral vaccine against tuberculosis in badgers; and, if this is later than 2015, what is the reason for the delay.
Asked by
Lord Greaves
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 August 2011
Developing an oral vaccine against tuberculosis in badgers is proving more difficult than originally hoped. This means that the possibility of a usable oral badger vaccine is many years away. We cannot say with any certainty if and when an oral badger vaccine might be available for use in the field.
Notes
Answer received between Monday 25 July and Monday 1 August 2011.
Subjects
Badgers; Vaccination; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
11 August 2011
Reference
11289; 729 c384WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the level of effectiveness of the current test for tuberculosis in cattle; and what proposals they have for improving the effectiveness of the test.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the level of effectiveness of the current test for tuberculosis in cattle; and what proposals they have for improving the effectiveness of the test.
Asked by
Lord Greaves
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 August 2011
The tuberculin skin test is used throughout the world as the primary screening test for TB in cattle and is an effective test when correctly performed. It is the prescribed standard method laid down in both national and international legislation for determining the existence of disease in a cattle herd.
Scientific research shows that, on average, the skin test used in the UK will detect approximately 80 per cent of all the infected cattle in a herd at any one test (at standard interpretation). There is only a 0.1 per cent probability of a non-infected animal being wrongly classified as a reactor.
The TB testing programme in Great Britain has been enhanced by the use of the gamma interferon blood test since 2006. This diagnostic test is used alongside the tuberculin skin test in known infected herds to improve the sensitivity of the testing regime and to identify more infected animals more quickly. Using both tests in this way can help to speed up the resolution of confirmed TB breakdowns by identifying as many infected cattle as possible at the earliest opportunity.
Notes
Answer received between Monday 1 August 2011 and Monday 8 August 2011.
Subjects
Cattle; Testing; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
11 August 2011
Reference
11290; 729 c458WA
House
House of Lords
Lords debate on motion to call attention to the future contribution of British agriculture to global food security. Motion withdrawn.
Lords debate on motion to call attention to the future contribution of British agriculture to global food security. Motion withdrawn.
Lead member
Baroness Byford
Answering member
Lord Henley
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Debates
Subjects
Animal welfare; Agriculture; Climate change; Biodiversity; Developing countries; Finance; Environment protection; Genetically modified organisms; Food; Food supply; Poultry; Water; Sustainable development; Research; Supermarkets; Waste; Subsidies; Bovine tuberculosis; Common agricultural policy; Anaerobic digestion; Food insecurity
Date
12 May 2011
Reference
727 c987-1027
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
Lords question for short debate on what steps they are taking to reduce regulatory burdens on British agriculture.
Lords question for short debate on what steps they are taking to reduce regulatory burdens on British agriculture.
Lead member
Baroness Byford
Answering member
Lord Henley
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Questions for short debate
Subjects
Animal welfare; Agriculture; Badgers; Bureaucracy; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; ICT; Inspections; EU law; Labelling; Forestry; Farmers; Livestock; Livestock industry; Transport; Regulation; Waste management; Supermarkets; Sheep; Subsidies; Tagging; Bovine tuberculosis; Rural Payments Agency; Trade competitiveness; Farming Regulation Task Force
Date
29 March 2011
Reference
726 c1153-68
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that question. I assure her that we have looked at research carried out in all countries. It is clear that one cannot eradicate bovine TB without also addressing TB in the wild animal population. That seems clear from the evidence in all other countries. My noble friend is also right to emphasise to the House the importance of this issue. Last year more than 25,000 cattle had to be compulsorily slaughtered. We think that bovine TB is Britain’s biggest endemic animal health issue.
My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that question. I assure her that we have looked at research carried out in all countries. It is clear that one cannot eradicate bovine TB without also addressing TB in the wild animal population. That seems clear from the evidence in all other countries. My noble friend is also right to emphasise to the House the importance of this issue. Last year more than 25,000 cattle had to be compulsorily slaughtered. We think that bovine TB is Britain’s biggest endemic animal health issue.
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Asked by
Baroness Browning
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, I was the Minister who set up the committee so ably taken forward by the noble Lord, Lord Krebs. Back in 1997, we recognised that bovine tuberculosis was out of control. It had spread down from the moors in the south-west peninsula and has since come south, right down almost to the coast across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. It has also spread to Gloucestershire, has headed up to Herefordshire and is now up as far as Cumbria. Has my noble friend looked at the research work being carried out in the Republic of Ireland, particularly in East Offaly? Certainly, prior to setting up the inquiry into bovine tuberculosis, the then Government looked at how culling had been used in the Republic of Ireland. I hope that he will take that research work into account.
Subjects
Disease control; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
16 November 2010
Reference
722 c667
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
The important thing to emphasise to my noble friend is the fact that we are at this stage only consulting on a badger control policy. Having consulted and taken advice, we then propose to issue licences to farmers and others who wish to cull and/or vaccinate badgers at their own expense. We will then look at the results of that process.
The important thing to emphasise to my noble friend is the fact that we are at this stage only consulting on a badger control policy. Having consulted and taken advice, we then propose to issue licences to farmers and others who wish to cull and/or vaccinate badgers at their own expense. We will then look at the results of that process.
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Asked by
Lord Greaves
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, does the Minister agree that any pilots that take place, whether they involve culling or vaccination or both, should have independent monitoring, data collection, analysis and assessment if they are to have credibility and be of use?
Subjects
Disease control; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
16 November 2010
Reference
722 c667
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, there is no confusion in the Government at all. We have made it quite clear that we are consulting on this issue. When we consult, we consult for those reasons. We do not consult, as the party opposite did, having already made up our minds.
My Lords, there is no confusion in the Government at all. We have made it quite clear that we are consulting on this issue. When we consult, we consult for those reasons. We do not consult, as the party opposite did, having already made up our minds.
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Asked by
Baroness Quin
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
May I therefore ask the Minister, in view of his reply, whether there will be a cull or not, because there is confusion within the Government? At precisely the same time as the Minister of State was announcing to farmers that there was going to be a cull, the Secretary of State said that she would await the scientific evidence. Which is it?
Subjects
Disease control; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
16 November 2010
Reference
722 c668
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, on the first question, I accept what the noble Lord has to say, but ongoing monitoring since the end of those trials indicates that the positive impacts on herd breakdowns within the culled areas have lasted for a considerable number of years after the culls have ended and that those areas have seen a reduction of some 28 per cent in the incidence of TB. So there is a considerable reduction. We have never said that culling is the sole answer. We have always made it clear that we believe that other measures will need to be taken and that we need to use every tool in the toolbox. As I made clear to the noble Lord in Written Answers earlier this year, we have consulted both the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir John Beddington, and our own chief scientific adviser within the department.
My Lords, on the first question, I accept what the noble Lord has to say, but ongoing monitoring since the end of those trials indicates that the positive impacts on herd breakdowns within the culled areas have lasted for a considerable number of years after the culls have ended and that those areas have seen a reduction of some 28 per cent in the incidence of TB. So there is a considerable reduction. We have never said that culling is the sole answer. We have always made it clear that we believe that other measures will need to be taken and that we need to use every tool in the toolbox. As I made clear to the noble Lord in Written Answers earlier this year, we have consulted both the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir John Beddington, and our own chief scientific adviser within the department.
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Asked by
Lord Krebs
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
I thank the Minister for that helpful Answer. As he has indicated, I declare an interest as the author of the 1997 report that led to the so-called randomised badger-culling trials, which were set up to test whether culling is an effective way of controlling TB in cattle. I ask the Minister two questions. First, does he agree with the estimate of his own officials that, based on the results of the randomised badger-culling trials, long-term intensive culling of badgers would lead to a 16 per cent reduction in the incidence of TB in cattle over nine years? Even this modest reduction, which would leave 84 per cent of the problem unaffected, would be achievable only with highly effective, large-scale, long-term culling. Otherwise, culling will make the problem worse. Secondly, does the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir John Beddington, agree with the policy of culling?
Subjects
Disease control; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
16 November 2010
Reference
722 c666-7
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I refer the noble Lord to the Written Answer that I gave some time ago which stated that he had been consulted, was aware of what we were doing and was happy with the consultation that was taking place. I make it clear that it is only a consultation that we are conducting on this matter at the moment.
My Lords, I refer the noble Lord to the Written Answer that I gave some time ago which stated that he had been consulted, was aware of what we were doing and was happy with the consultation that was taking place. I make it clear that it is only a consultation that we are conducting on this matter at the moment.
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Asked by
Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, in answer to the noble Lord, Lord Krebs, the Minister said that the Government had consulted the Chief Scientific Adviser. Can he say whether the Chief Scientific Adviser is in favour of, or opposed to, a cull?
Subjects
Disease control; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
16 November 2010
Reference
722 c667
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, scientific evidence indicates that TB in cattle will not be eliminated without addressing transmission from badgers. The evidence used to estimate the impact of badger culling and vaccination on TB incidence in cattle is set out in our consultation document. For culling, much of the evidence comes from the randomised badger-culling trial, which was recommended by the noble Lord in 1997. For vaccination, it comes from laboratory and field studies.
My Lords, scientific evidence indicates that TB in cattle will not be eliminated without addressing transmission from badgers. The evidence used to estimate the impact of badger culling and vaccination on TB incidence in cattle is set out in our consultation document. For culling, much of the evidence comes from the randomised badger-culling trial, which was recommended by the noble Lord in 1997. For vaccination, it comes from laboratory and field studies.
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Asked by
Lord Krebs
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what scientific evidence they hold which supports their proposals for control of bovine tuberculosis.
Subjects
Disease control; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
16 November 2010
Reference
722 c666
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, that is not the case at all. I have made it clear that we have consulted the Chief Scientific Adviser and he is happy with the consultation. What we are talking about at this stage is a consultation. I also make it clear to the noble Lord that the scientific evidence is clear and suggests that an active badger culling carried out on a sufficient scale—I emphasise the words ““sufficient scale””—in a widespread, co-ordinated and efficient way over a sustained period will reduce the incidence of bovine TB in cattle in high-incidence areas.
My Lords, that is not the case at all. I have made it clear that we have consulted the Chief Scientific Adviser and he is happy with the consultation. What we are talking about at this stage is a consultation. I also make it clear to the noble Lord that the scientific evidence is clear and suggests that an active badger culling carried out on a sufficient scale—I emphasise the words ““sufficient scale””—in a widespread, co-ordinated and efficient way over a sustained period will reduce the incidence of bovine TB in cattle in high-incidence areas.
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Asked by
Lord May of Oxford
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, does the Minister agree that while there remain uncertainties, two things are known: first, that in the initial several years after beginning to kill badgers in a defined region, things get worse; and, secondly, if culling is maintained over a large area year in and year out, control of bovine TB is possible to a degree but the balance of evidence suggests that the costs outweigh the benefits? Incidentally, I take it that I am clear that the answer he gave about the chief scientist being content with the consultation is that he does not agree. That seemed to be implied in the Minister’s reply.
Subjects
Disease control; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
16 November 2010
Reference
722 c667-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what scientific evidence they hold which supports their proposals for control of bovine tuberculosis.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what scientific evidence they hold which supports their proposals for control of bovine tuberculosis.
Asked by
Lord Krebs
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
16 November 2010
Answered on
16 November 2010
My Lords, scientific evidence indicates that TB in cattle will not be eliminated without addressing transmission from badgers. The evidence used to estimate the impact of badger culling and vaccination on TB incidence in cattle is set out in our consultation document. For culling, much of the evidence comes from the randomised badger-culling trial, which was recommended by the noble Lord in 1997. For vaccination, it comes from laboratory and field studies.
Subjects
Disease control; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
16 November 2010
Reference
722 c666
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice they have received from the Chief Scientific Adviser in Defra, Professor Robert Watson, on the proposal to cull badgers as a means of controlling tuberculosis in cattle.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice they have received from the Chief Scientific Adviser in Defra, Professor Robert Watson, on the proposal to cull badgers as a means of controlling tuberculosis in cattle.
Asked by
Lord Krebs
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
6 October 2010
Professor Watson, Defra's Chief Scientific Adviser, and officials from his office have regular meetings with officials from Defra's bovine TB programme and have provided input on the scientific advice including at meetings with the Secretary of State and the Minister of State during the development of proposals and the consultation. Professor Watson discussed the evidence and requested views from Defra's TB Science Advisory Body on a scientific paper by Jenkins et al. (2010), which presents results of the monitoring activity that has continued in proactively culled and survey-only areas since the end of the Randomised Badger Control Trial (RBCT). Professor Watson's suggestions and comments were included in developing the consultation and associated documents. Professor Watson continues to be involved in consideration of the proposal outlined in the consultation and has also asked a joint group of representatives from the TB Science Advisory Body and Defra's Science Advisory Council to provide advice on the proposal in the consultation.
Sir John Beddington, the government Chief Scientific Adviser, and his officials discussed the evidence around bovine TB and badgers with Professor Watson and Defra officials when the proposals were in development. Sir John's advice was discussed with Ministers in preparing the consultation and associated documents. Defra officials continue to be in regular contact with colleagues from Sir John's office.
Subjects
Badgers; Cattle; Disease control; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
6 October 2010
Reference
2187; 721 c16WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice they have received from the Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir John Beddington, on the proposal to cull badgers as a means of controlling tuberculosis in cattle.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice they have received from the Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir John Beddington, on the proposal to cull badgers as a means of controlling tuberculosis in cattle.
Asked by
Lord Krebs
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
6 October 2010
Professor Watson, Defra's Chief Scientific Adviser, and officials from his office have regular meetings with officials from Defra's bovine TB programme and have provided input on the scientific advice including at meetings with the Secretary of State and the Minister of State during the development of proposals and the consultation. Professor Watson discussed the evidence and requested views from Defra's TB Science Advisory Body on a scientific paper by Jenkins et al. (2010), which presents results of the monitoring activity that has continued in proactively culled and survey-only areas since the end of the Randomised Badger Control Trial (RBCT). Professor Watson's suggestions and comments were included in developing the consultation and associated documents. Professor Watson continues to be involved in consideration of the proposal outlined in the consultation and has also asked a joint group of representatives from the TB Science Advisory Body and Defra's Science Advisory Council to provide advice on the proposal in the consultation.
Sir John Beddington, the government Chief Scientific Adviser, and his officials discussed the evidence around bovine TB and badgers with Professor Watson and Defra officials when the proposals were in development. Sir John's advice was discussed with Ministers in preparing the consultation and associated documents. Defra officials continue to be in regular contact with colleagues from Sir John's office.
Subjects
Badgers; Cattle; Disease control; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
6 October 2010
Reference
2186; 721 c15-6WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice they give to farmers who wish to inoculate their cattle against bovine tuberculosis.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice they give to farmers who wish to inoculate their cattle against bovine tuberculosis.
Asked by
Lord Jones of Cheltenham
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
26 July 2010
Since 1998, a wide-ranging programme of research into both cattle and badger vaccines has been in place, with over £29.9 million invested up to the end of the 2009-10 financial year. Results of completed research projects have been peer-reviewed and published in scientific journals and on the Defra website.
The cattle vaccines research programme has successfully identified lead BCG-based candidate vaccines for bTB and work is under way to support the licence application for an injectable BCG vaccine for use in cattle. However, vaccination of cattle against TB is currently prohibited under EU legislation. BCG interferes with the primary TB diagnostic test, the tuberculin skin test, so vaccinated cattle would react as if infected and herds could not be declared officially TB free (OTF). Therefore, as part of the UK research programme we are carrying out work to develop and validate a diagnostic test to differentiate between infected and vaccinated animals (a so-called DIVA test). Changes will be required to the EU legislation to allow this test to be used in place of, or alongside, the tuberculin skin test to confer OTF status. Because we are still at this early stage of developing a useable cattle vaccine, we have not yet been able to assess the costs of vaccinating cattle.
Badger vaccines are further progressed. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) issued a licence for the injectable BCG badger vaccine in March 2010, the first tuberculosis vaccine authorised for use in badgers in the UK. A separate strand of research to develop an oral BCG vaccine bait formulation and delivery protocol is being conducted in collaboration with researchers in the Republic of Ireland and New Zealand, as this will be the most practical application of a vaccine to a wild population.
Subjects
Cattle; Vaccination; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
26 July 2010
Reference
1386; 720 c259-60WA
House
House of Lords