§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the independent scientific group on bovine tuberculosis will begin its study; by when it has been asked to finalise its report; and whether that report will be placed in the public domain. [HL878]
§ Lord WhittyThe Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) began work on the randomised badger-culling trial in 1998. Analysis of the data collected as part of the trial is ongoing and the ISG have undertaken to notify Ministers of any significant findings, such as those identified in autumn 2003 in relation to the reactive trial areas, and which subsequently led to suspension of the reactive-culling element of the trial.
The group has published three reports to date, summarising progress of the trial and associated research. A fourth report is expected shortly and copies will be made available in the Library of the House.
The ISG has advised that trial operations should be complete in the first half of 2006 with final data analysis commencing shortly thereafter. A final report will be made public.
The ISG, and the God fray Group which reviewed the RBCT in 2004, have recently been asked to consider the report of the four areas culling trial published in Preventive Veterinary Medicine on 5 January. The groups have been asked to advise on a number of issues, including whether the findings of the Irish research can be applied to the situation in Great Britain. Ministers are expecting advice in early February. The independent scientific advice will be made public.