HL Deb 23 July 2001 vol 626 cc186-7WA
Lord Willoughby de Broke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many flocks and herds slaughtered out under the contiguous cull regime were blood-tested for foot and mouth; and what number of these proved positive. [HL251]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty)

Information is not available on a flock or herd basis. However, the following table shows the number of contiguous premises that were tested and the numbers of cattle, sheep, pigs and goats that were slaughtered on those premises.

Result Number of Premises Sampled Cattle Slaughtered Sheep Slaughtered Pigs Slaughtered Goats Slaughtered
Positive 28 3,938 9,072 2 0
Negative 189 12,407 84,581 4,449 16
Awaiting result 22 1,726 16,487 76 5
Total 239 18,071 110,140 4,527 21

A negative test result does not necessarily mean that the premises were free from disease. For instance, positive results may not be produced from samples taken when the disease is in its later stages or from newly infected animals where antibodies have not yet developed.