§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that there is a positive link between badgers and bovine tuberculosis.
§ Mr. StrangSince bovine tuberculosis was found in a badger carcase in 1971, considerable experimental and investiga-624W tional work has been carried out by my Department into the role of the badger in the persistence of this disease among cattle in certain areas of the country. It is now beyond doubt that badgers are highly susceptible to bovine tuberculosis and that they can transmit the disease to cattle. A report, "Bovine Tuberculosis in Badgers", was published by the Ministry in November and copies placed in the Library of the House.