§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they agree with the conclusion of four 514WA Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food research workers, Dr. Christopher Cheeseman, Mr. Peter Mallinson, Mr. John Gallagher and Mr. Gareth Jones, that there is an unexplained causative factor affecting the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in different badger populations; and what further research they are undertaking to discover what this causative factor might be.
The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Ferrers)The officials did not reach this conclusion nor is there anything in their paper which casts doubt upon the established link between tuberculosis in badgers and tuberculosis in cattle.
The Government support an extensive programme of research on bovine tuberculosis in badgers which covers, among other things, the numerous interacting factors which may influence the prevalence of tuberculosis in wild badger populations and how such populations may relate to disease in cattle.
House adjourned at eleven minutes before eleven o'clock.