§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 21 February,Official Report, column 58, for what period the field study for bovine tuberculosis was intended to run; whether that period has been extended; and when he now expects it to be completed.
§ Mr. AncramThe sampling of herds to assist with the possible development of a blood test for bovine TB was completed as planned by December 1993. Arrangements for the purchase of all the animals which it was considered necessary to examine have now been completed. It is necessary to analyse and interpret the data before an assessment can be made of the effectiveness of a blood test and whether a fully substantiated case can be made to the European Community to obtain agreement to its use. This is expected to continue until late 1994.