Dr. David ClarkeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he will make tuberculosis in deer a notifiable disease; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether he intends to introduce tuberculosis testing and compulsory slaughter arrangements for farmed deer; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonWhen I met the British Deer Farmers Association recently I discussed with it the current problems with TB in farmed deer. I explained that the Government will introduce legislation to make TB in deer a notifiable disease and to make the keeping of movement records and the permanent identification of farmed deer compulsory. My officials are preparing the 677W necessary legislation and will shortly be consulting other interested organisations. Meanwhile, infected or suspected animals known to the Ministry, will continue to be subject to movement restrictions applied under article 15 of the tuberculosis (England and Wales) and (Scotland) Orders 1984.
I have further agreed that my officials should explore with the industry the introduction of a voluntary tuberculosis attestation scheme for deer herds. Proposals for a scheme are at an advanced stage and letters have been sent to interested organisations inviting them to nominate representatives to form an advisory group to consider the proposals and their application.
I believe that, taken together, these are useful measures to combat the problem of tuberculosis in deer. In response to suggestions from the industry that compulsory slaughter might be appropriate I have suggested that they should consider the possibility of an industry funded programme. We are awaiting an industry response on all these matters.