§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle have been compulsorily slaughtered under BSE regulations; and at what cost to public funds. [46061]
§ Mr. RookerBetween 1988, when BSE became a notifiable disease, and 12 June 1998, 203,283 cattle had been compulsorily slaughtered in Great Britain as BSE suspects. Total BSE payments in respect of these slaughterings for the period from 1988 to the end of 1997/98 amount to over £191 million. This figure comprises BSE compensation payments, ex gratia payments and miscellaneous expenditure.
In addition, certain cattle have been slaughtered under the selective cull. This covers cattle born 1 July 1989–30 June 1993 which are believed to have shared the same infected feed as BSE cases. Cattle born before 15 October 1990 are slaughtered only if the owner offers them voluntarily, as there was no legal requirement to keep birth records before that date. Such animals represent around 50 per cent. of the total slaughtered under the cull.
The selective cull commenced on 21 March 1997. Total expenditure on the cull for the 1997/98 financial year was £114 million, including compensation for 65,540 animals, 423W and disposal and valuation costs. By 12 June 1998, 70,428 animals had been slaughtered under the selective cull.