§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what investment his Department plans for the development of an effective vaccine to protect herds against outbreaks of bovine TB; and within what time scale he estimates a vaccine will be developed. [25665]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 27 January 1998]: The report, published in December, by Professor Krebs and the Independent Scientific Review Group estimates that a vaccine for field trials could be available within 10 years. It recommends that research towards the development of a cattle vaccine should be a high priority for MAFF. The Government have indicated that they are disposed to accept the report's recommendations subject to further consideration of public expenditure, legal and practical implications. We are currently reviewing bovine TB research expenditure, including work towards a cattle vaccine, in the light of the Krebs report. Public consultation on how the report's recommendations should be implemented ends on 27 February.