§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the impact of the foot and mouth epidemic on the Krebs trials. [160207]
§ Mr. Nick Brown[holding answer 3 May 2001]: Operations in the badger culling field trial were scheduled to resume after the close season ended on 1 May. However, preparations for the 2001 culling programme have been delayed because MAFF wildlife unit staff have been redeployed to assist with foot and mouth disease control measures. Some management functions are being maintained to ensure that the wildlife unit can rapidly move back into trial operations.