§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to protect badgers in areas where tuberculosis is increasing(a) in the West Country and (b) nationally. [143951]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 8 January 2001]: Badgers are a protected species under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. The Government have a strategy in place to tackle bovine tuberculosis which includes the regular testing of cattle herds and extensive research (including the Krebs' trial) into the disease both in cattle and in wildlife, including badgers, as well as the development of TB vaccines. The Government's objective is to identify a sustainable policy to control bovine tuberculosis, based on sound science, which will allow healthy cattle and wildlife to co-exist successfully in the future.