§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his plans in respect of badger removal programmes. [16685]
§ Mrs. BrowningProfessor Krebs and his committee are conducting an independent review of the scientific evidence relating to badgers and tuberculosis in cattle. It would be inappropriate to consider changes to the current policy until Professor Krebs has reported.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the(a) current reported outbreaks of bovine tuberculosis and (b) current and proposed badger removal programmes in Gloucester. [16686]
§ Mrs. BrowningThere are currently 37 herds in Gloucestershire under movement restrictions due to bovine TB. There are 13 badger removal operations in progress. A further seven badger removal operations have been approved and investigatory work has commenced on three of these.