§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes his Department intends to make in the testing of cattle for bovine tuberculosis in Great Britain.
§ Mr. GummerI have decided to extend the interval between tuberculosis tests for cattle herds. The majority of herds in Great Britain are tested once every three years. Most will now be tested once every four years.
The move follows outstandingly successful efforts by Agriculture Departments over many years to reduce confirmed cases of bovin tuberculosis in Great Britain to the present levels of below 0.1 per cent. of herds. In no way does it mean a lowering of our guard against the disease.
Cattle herds in the counties of the south-west of England where bovine tuberculosis is present at slightly higher levels will continue to be tested more frequently. This means that all herds in Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Avon will be tested at least once every two years, and some once a year. Most herds in Devon will be tested—as now —every three years. The situation in the south-west of England will be kept under close review.
§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the cost of the tuberculosis eradication scheme: what estimates he has made of savings 81W that can be achieved by the selective testing of cattle instead of the culling of badgers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesSome £8 million per year is spent on testing and compensation for bovine tuberculosis. A comprehensive national testing programme for cattle already exists, including more frequent testing in high risk areas.