HC Deb 05 March 1979 vol 963 cc474-5W
Mr. Watkinson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further meetings his Department has held to discuss the slaughter of badgers in Gloucestershire because of bovine tuberculosis.

Mr. Strang

Progress with the removal of badgers infected with bovine tuberculosis and associated with the disease in cattle in Gloucestershire was discussed at a meeting on 21 February of the consultative panel on badgers and tuberculosis.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the extent of an area which is gassed if a badger is found with suspected bovine tuberculosis.

Mr. Strang

Gassing is confined to the problem areas in the South-West and within those areas is undertaken only where bovine tuberculosis in badgers is confirmed at post-mortem and is associated with one or more outbreaks of the disease in cattle. Action is restricted to setts used by infected badgers and their contacts. The number of such setts will depend upon the territorial ranges of the infected and contact badgers identified.