§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what checks are made by the State Veterinary Service on imports of cattle from France as part of re-stocking schemes following foot and mouth disease; how many cattle have been found to be carrying the disease brucellosis; when the last case of brucellosis was reported in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [46384]
§ Mr. MorleyPost import checks for the following diseases are carried out by the State Veterinary Service on cattle imported from France:
- Enzootic bovine leucosis
- Brucellosis
- Warble fly
Since imports were allowed to restart following foot and mouth disease, no imported cattle have been confirmed as carrying brucellosis. Although initial blood tests on a consignment of cattle imported in February gave a single positive and four inconclusive results, subsequent tests have proved negative and brucellosis was not confirmed.
The last case of brucellosis reported in Great Britain was in Anglesey in 1993.