§ 22. Mr. Roger EvansTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures are being taken to monitor the causes of infection of cattle by tuberculosis; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesA thorough investigation is carried out following every cattle herd breakdown to attempt to identify the source of the infection and any cattle moved on or off the premises are traced and tested if appropriate.
Wildlife carcases submitted by the public of a range of animals such as deer and badgers are examined for tuberculosis if local staff or the State Veterinary Service believe useful information may be provided.
Badger removal operations are undertaken only where badgers are believed to be involved in the spread of infection to cattle; all badgers killed in these removal operations are examined for tuberculosis.
In support of the bovine tuberculosis programme, the Department is funding a field research programme to provide information on the mode of transmission of bovine tuberculosis from badgers to cattle.