§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle were slaughtered in 1997 and 1998 after testing positive in the tuberculin skin tests; and how many were found not to be infected on post mortem and culture examination. [91711]
§ Mr. RookerThe information for 1997 was published on page 4 of Animal Health 1997, the annual report of the Chief Veterinary Officer. A copy was placed in the Library. The report for 1998 has not yet been published.
§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department is conducting into cattle to cattle transmission of bovine tuberculosis. [91725]
§ Mr. RookerThe Government are conducting a wide programme of research, based on the recommendations in the Krebs Report and advice from the Independent Scientific Group on cattle TB chaired by Professor John Bourne. Specifically on cattle to cattle transmission the recommendations were:
- (i) analysing existing information (including cattle testing data and old TB49 incident management reports) to identify risk factors;
- (ii) deploying a new epidemiological questionnaire (TB99) to provide data which will assist in improving procedures for managing TB incidents and to help determine risk factors associated with them;
- (iii) working on the development of a blood test based on gamma interferon in order to improve the detection of infected cattle;
- (iv) developing the tools for improving the identification of different strains of m bovis to provide information on source of infection and route of transmission, and for application to other cattle data; and
- (v) implementing a number of projects related to the development of a cattle vaccine that include work on the pathogenesis on infection.
The Independent Scientific Group believes, and the Government agree, that cattle to cattle transmission, 499W including the pathogenesis of the disease in cattle, is an area which merits further consideration as funds become available.