§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked her Majesty's Government:
Whether the tests, reported in The Times of 15th December 1982, of tubercular infection implanted in badgers in experiments conducted by Messrs. Little, Naylor and Wilesmith at the Central Veterinary Laboratory were given publicity and independent examination at the time, and in what way did the deliberate infection of badgers by tuberculosis "convince the Government that badgers were a source of the disease".
Earl FerrersRegular progress reports on the laboratory study of tuberculosis infection in badgers and calves, on whichThe Times correspondent commented on 15th December 1982, have been published in the department's reports on bovine tuberculosis in badgers. The first of these reports was published in November 1976. The members of the Consultative Panel on Badgers and Tuberculosis were fully informed of this study. The membership of the panel includes a wide range of scientific, veterinary and conservation societies and individual experts.
I recommend to the noble Lord the full report of this study which appeared in the Veterinary Record on 11th December 1982. That report describes two experiments. In the first experiment some of the badgers were infected by intravenous inoculation. In the second, naturally infected badgers were used. The results show that healthy calves will develop tuberculosis when in contact with either naturally or experimentally infected badgers and therefore further demonstrate the potential of infected badgers to act as a source of infection for cattle.
We have been criticised for relying on circumstantial evidence for the transmission of bovine tuberculosis from badgers to cattle. A direct experimental test as in the work reported was therefore desirable. I can assure the noble Lord that the experiments were conducted with full regard for animal welfare considerations.