§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle that have been tested for tuberculosis have been found to be positive in(a) slaughterhouses, (b) knackers yards and (c) hunt kennels in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerThe number of cattle found to be positive for tuberculosis in slaughterhouses from 1986 to 1990 was as follows:
Number 1986 7 1987 15 1988 13 1989 16 1990 16 Knackers yards and hunt kennels have not reported any tuberculosis affected cattle. Meat from knackers yards and hunt kennels is, of course, wholly excluded from the human food chain.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the tuberculosis eradication policy; and what change there has been in the evidence of the disease since the policy was introduced.
§ Mr. GummerThe present programme began in 1935 with the introduction of the attested herd scheme. At that time an estimated 40 per cent. of cattle in Great Britain were affected; the 1990 figure is 0.0038 per cent.