§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representation he has received regarding compensation for farmers for time spent testing animals for TB for the purposes of protecting human health; and if he will make a statement. [137560]
§ Ms QuinThe Government are aware of the burden that regular testing of cattle herds for TB imposes on farmers. Under the 2000 Spending Review, extra money has been allocated for increased TB testing and compensation payments to farmers for the market value of cattle slaughtered as TB reactors or contacts. There are no plans to extend compensation to other losses at this stage.
§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of current levels of testing for TB in respect of(a) badgers and (b) bovines. [137562]
§ Ms QuinThere is no reliable test for bovine TB in live badgers. Badger carcases collected in the badger culling trial and from the survey announced on 6 November 2000,Official Report, column 48W are being tested for bovine TB at post mortem.
Cattle herds are tested for bovine TB at one, two, three or four yearly intervals as required by EU legislation, and additionally at the discretion of Divisional Veterinary Managers of the State Veterinary Service. The Government keep TB testing levels under constant review.