§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the strategy and methods of the control of tuberculosis in respect of(a) cattle and (b) badgers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerOver the years there has been a significant reduction in the incidence of tuberculosis in cattle. This has been achieved by tuberculin testing the national herd and monitoring slaughterhouses, knackers yards and hunt kennels. Most of the country is now virtually free from the disease, although it is proving more difficult in the south west because of infection in the local badger population. Badger control is based upon the interim strategy recommended by Professor Dunnet. Thought is now being given by the Ministry and the consultative panel on badgers and tuberculosis as to how the live test developed for use in badgers can best be deployed in any revised strategy.