§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What guidance they have issued with regard to the notification of tuberculosis in wild animals, especially deer; and if none, whether they intend to issue such guidance. [HL3914]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty)Discussions with stakeholders on arrangements for notifying TB, including in wild deer, took place when the Tuberculosis (Deer) Order 1989 came into force. This has resulted in guidance on the notification of TB, or suspected TB, in deer carcases in, for instance, the Meat Hygiene Service operations manual and the National Trust documentManagement of Deer on National Trust Land.
Guidance on notification of TB in deer for State Veterinary Service (SVS) personnel is provided in the SVS field service manual. If a wild deer is confirmed as having bovine TB, the SVS divisional veterinary manager (DVM) will decide on the appropriate action. If the deer was found in an area where cattle are not tested annually, the DVM may decide to increase the cattle testing frequency in that area.
TB is not notifiable in other wild animal species.