§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost in 1997 of1046W compensating farmers for (a) cattle compulsorily slaughtered after testing positive in the tuberculin skin test and (b) cattle which were found not to be infected on post-mortem and culture examination. [93738]
§ Ms QuinA total of £2.38 million was paid out in 1997 in compensation for 3,298 reactors and 462 contact animals, of which £1.02 million was for reactors subsequently found in post mortem and culture examinations not to have been infected with TB.
§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research the Government is conducting on the pathogenesis and epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis in cattle. [93739]
§ Ms QuinA wide range of research activity is in progress in this area, as set out in the reply given to the hon. Member on 20 July 1999,Official Report, column 495. In addition, the Independent Scientific Group has recently made recommendations on further research needs relating to the pathogenesis of M. bovis and MAFF will shortly be inviting applications for research proposals.
§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the development of a tuberculosis vaccine for cattle. [94922]
§ Ms QuinThe Government are funding expenditure of about £1.4 million a year on vaccine development. The main thrust of the programme in its first five-year phase is to identify vaccine candidates. The work is being carried out by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency and the Institute of Animal Health, drawing on work carried out internationally and in related fields, such as human vaccines, as appropriate. Emerging findings will be published as and when appropriate.