§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research he has evaluated into the contribution of badgers to bovine TB; and if he will make a statement.[25380]
§ Mr. AncramA study of the distribution and abundance of badgers in Northern Ireland has been carried out under the auspices of Queen's university, Belfast. Antigen development and stain typing research is continuing at the Department of Agriculture's veterinary science division to help establish the significance of the badger in the transmission of TB.
A feasibility study on the development of a vaccine for use in badgers was undertaken in 1994–95 in conjunction with the Republic of Ireland. This concluded that a long-term programme would be required to develop an effective vaccine. A joint submission for EU funding was made by six member states, including the UK. This has so far been unsuccessful.
611WThe Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has begun a project independently to develop such a vaccine.