§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will invoke the precautionary principle in respect of bovine TB by permitting a cull of badgers in affected areas; [137555]
(2) what measures he proposes to arrest the spread of bovine TB. [137553]
§ Ms QuinThe Government fully recognise the economic and financial costs which cattle TB imposes on the farming industry. We are pressing ahead with a comprehensive strategy first detailed in 1998 and on which regular progress reports are given to the House. The Government are keeping the need for additional measures under constant review.
§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the risk to cattle of ingesting grass contaminated by badger urine and excrement. [137583]
§ Ms QuinResearch is being carried out by the Moredun Research Institute and the Scottish Agricultural College examining the potential routes ofM.bovis transmission from pasture contaminated with infected excreta to cattle under controlled conditions. Results will be published when available.