HL Deb 12 November 2001 vol 628 c60WA
Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the badger culling trials will be fully operational again; and whether they have yet appointed an external auditor to check field operations. [HL1214]

Lord Whitty

DEFRA, in consultation with the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB, is currently drawing up plans for resuming trial operations. In the light of the foot and mouth outbreak, any resumption will be subject to a strict risk assessment.

Various aspects of the field operations of the trial are subject to audit, including surveying, social group territory delineation and the humaneness of despatch procedures. Audit reports and the Government's responses are published. Review of audit arrangements is a component of restarting the trial following foot and mouth disease.