§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research has been carried out into alternative and less expensive forms of animal testing for tuberculosis; and with what result.
§ Mr. SoamesAlternative forms of testing for tuberculosis in cattle and deer are undergoing assessment at the Central Veterinary Laboratory, but are not yet sufficiently developed to warrant field trials. Field trials are continuing to assess the effectiveness of the live test to diagnose tuberculosis in living badgers.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the annual cost of the testing of cattle for tuberculosis.
§ Mr. SoamesThe cost of testing cattle in Great Britain for tuberculosis in the year 1 April 1991 to 31 March 1922 was £7.2 million.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what success the Department has had in its programme for the eradication of tuberculosis in cattle.
§ Mr. SoamesThe Department has an extremely successful record in dealing with tuberculosis in cattle. It was estimated that in 1937 at least 40 per cent. of dairy herds in this country were infected with the disease: in 1991, new cases of tuberculosis were confirmed in only 0.115 per cent. of cattle herds in Great Britain.