§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 10 March 1998 to the hon. Member for West Dorset (Mr. Letwin),Official Report, columns 164–66, by what date he has requested the Expert Group under Professor Bourne's chairmanship to provide advice on the timing and conduct of the culling experiment recommended in the Krebs report. [35647]
§ Mr. RookerI hope to receive advice on the design of the culling trial by June.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of recent evidence indicating the spread of TB related to badgers to new areas.[35648]
§ Mr. RookerWe continue to monitor the situation in all areas of the country. The Krebs report recommended a package of measures to address the issue of TB in cattle and badgers. We will make a further announcement when we have considered submissions made during consultation.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the situation facing Cheshire farmers in respect190W of the spread of bovine tuberculosis following the publication of the Krebs report on Bovine Tuberculosis in Cattle and Badgers. [35518]
§ Mr. RookerIn Cheshire there was one confirmed breakdown in 1994 and one in 1995. There were no confirmed breakdowns in 1996 or 1997, but there has been one so far in 1998. The breakdowns appear to be sporadic and not confined to any particular area of the county. There has been no evidence of badger involvement. I can assure the hon. Member that we are continuing to monitor the situation.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he is taking to protect the livelihoods of farmers affected by outbreaks of bovine tuberculosis on their land during the period before an effective vaccine has been developed and following the recommendations contained in the Krebs report; and if he will make a statement. [35517]
§ Mr. RookerWe will continue to test cattle for bovine tuberculosis at intervals of four years, or more frequently where there is perceived to be an increased risk of disease. Regular testing, plus the removal to slaughter of reactor cattle (for which farmers receive compensation) ensure that disease is generally caught at an early stage. Restrictions imposed on the movement of cattle from herds where disease is suspected safeguards against the spread of disease to other herds. We are considering the implementation of the Krebs recommendations which should provide a sound basis for future policy concerning badgers and bovine TB. We will make an announcement when we have considered submissions made during the consultation exercise.