§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to increase understanding of the risk factors underlying outbreaks of TB in cattle in the light of recommendations in the Krebs report. [48531]
§ Mr. RookerIn order better to understand the relative importance of badgers and other factors contributing to TB incidents in herds, Professor Krebs recommended that high priority should be given to a multivariate analysis of risk factors. Research proposals to assess correlates of risk, to be financed from April next year, were invited in the Ministry's research requirements document published on 20 April, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.
However, in view of the importance which both Professor Kreb's group and the Ministry attach to research in this area, we are also inviting proposals for a retrospective analysis of data collected during previous investigations. This will start this autumn, in advance of the main research programme. Notices calling for proposals will appear in the relevant scientific journals shortly.