HC Deb 02 December 1982 vol 33 cc294-5W
Mr. Lawrence

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many badgers' setts have been gassed during the operation of the policy of gassing badgers to halt the spread of bovine tuberculosis; and how many setts were gassed more than once.

Mr. Peter Walker

For the period from the commencement of gassing in August 1975 to the suspension of its use as the main method of badger control on 26 June 1982, a total of 4,478 setts in the south-west of England were gassed. Figures for the number of setts gassed more than once are not available.

Mr. Lawrence

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether the policy of gassing badgers has halted the spread of bovine tuberculosis; and what is the incidence of the disease today in the area where the policy has been operating compared with the incidence in the same area in 1975;

(2) how many herd outbreaks and individual cases of bovine tuberculosis occurred in 1980, 1981 and so far in 1982.

Mrs. Fenner

The following table shows the total number of herd breakdowns with tuberculosis and the total number of reactors in those breakdowns, for the counties of the south-west region and for the rest of England. My hon. Friend will be pleased to note that the incidence of the disease has generally decreased over the period in question.

Bovine tuberculosis in cattle—total herds with reactors and number of reactors
Cornwall Devon Dorset Avon
(1) (11) (1) (11) (1) (11) (1) (11)
1975 252 506 30 73 23 86 60 120
1980 133 214 50 132 14 19 33 67
1981 107 213 56 148 11 12 14 25
1982+ 54 91 34 81 2 2 20 50

Gloucester Somerset Wiltshire SW Region
(1) (11) (1) (11) (1) (11) (1) (11)
1975 99 209 20 112 23 54 507 1,160
1980 31 72 7 12 29 119 297 635
1981 44 97 3 15 42 138 277 648
1982+ 20 29 7 10 18 28 155 291

+ Figures cover 1 January–30 September

(1) Total herds with reactors

(11) Number of reactors

Rest of England
(1) (11)
1975 171 354
1980 43 106
1981 42 86
+1982 57 101

+ Figures cover 1 January–30 September

(1) Total herds with reactors

(11) Number of reactors

Mr. Lawrence

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total cost to date of the policy of gassing badgers to halt the spread of bovine tuberculosis.

Mr. Peter Walker

The cost of the badger control operations in the south-west of England, indluding salaries and equipment, from August 1975 to 26 June 1982 is estimated at about an average of £140,000 per annum.

Mr. Lawrence

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether the policy of gassing badgers to halt the spread of bovine tuberculosis is still being operated;

(2) why the policy of gassing badgers to halt the spread of bovine tuberculosis has been stopped.

Mrs. Fenner

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Sir A. Kershaw) on 14 July 1982.—[Vol. 27, c.389.]

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