§ Charlotte AtkinsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to improve the collection of information about tuberculosis risk factors from cattle breakdown farms. [57228]
§ Mr. RookerDuring November the Ministry will be carrying out a pilot study using new survey forms designed to collect information on cattle movements, husbandry practices, wildlife on farms, and the local environment from farms which have suffered TB incidents, and from others which will act as controls. Comments on the forms are being invited from the farming and scientific communities and the public.
In December we will review the forms, and from January we intend to use them to gain information following all TB breakdowns. The information collected will be analysed alongside other data on local weather conditions and patterns of badger activity to determine which factors seem to be associated with a higher TB risk. These factors can then be investigated more closely.