§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many samples tested for foot and mouth disease of(a) cattle, (b) sheep, (c) pigs and (d) other species proved (i) positive and (ii) negative. [24089]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 19 December 2001]: Details of individual samples taken are not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, 2,359 premises which were affected by foot and mouth disease had samples taken for laboratory testing, of which 1,328 returned positive results and 1,026 returned negative results. I should point out in this context that a negative result does not necessarily mean that there is no virus present. Five results are currently unknown.
Source:
DEFRA Disease Control System database as at 17:00 18 December 2001.
§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farm animals were slaughtered(a) on non-contiguous premises, (b) on infected premises and (c) as dangerous contacts on contiguous premises in (i) November and (ii) December 2001. [26355]
§ Mr. MorleyIn November and December 2001, there were no cases of foot and mouth disease and therefore no animals were slaughtered on infected premises and no animals were slaughtered as dangerous contacts on contiguous premises.
119WHowever, during November 2001, 71 farm animals were slaughtered on non-contiguous premises. 70 of these animals were slaughtered as dangerous contacts, one was slaughtered on suspicion. In December 2001, one farm animal was slaughtered as a dangerous contact on a non-contiguous premises.
Source:
DEFRA Disease Control System database as at 7 January 2002.