§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the county branches of the National Farmers' Union that have called for Ministry action against the badger in view of evidence of the incidence of bovine TB, and if he will make a statement on what action he proposes.
§ Mrs. FennerThe county branches of the National Farmers' Union which have requested Ministry action against the badger are Cornwall and Gloucester. A survey has been completed in the West Penwith area of Cornwall in order to ascertain the incidence of tuberculosis in badgers; an interim report has been issued and a final report is being prepared. A separate study will be made of the disease among badgers in certain parts of Gloucester.
Laboratory trials have commenced to measure the virulence of badger isolates 535W of tubercle bacilli when given to young calves. Experiments will also be started to obtain information about the susceptibility of badgers to tubercle bacilli, and about transmission of infection between badgers, and also to young calves using premises occupied by infected badgers. The results of this work will not be available for some time.
When reactors are revealed in a herd and there is no obvious origin of infection, badger specimens and faeces samples are collected and submitted to laboratory examination. If the bovine type organism is recovered the owner is advised and recommended to destroy the remaining badgers on his premises in a humane manner.