§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent changes have been made to the European Union's policy on vaccination-to-live relating to foot and mouth; and what research she has recently commissioned on tests to differentiate between vaccinated and infected animals. [66149]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 2 July 2002]No recent changes have been made to the European Union's policy on vaccination in relation to foot and mouth disease.
DEFRA are currently in the process of approving a project to develop a test using non-structural proteins to distinguish between vaccinated and infected animals, and are examining its feasibility for use on a herd basis to detect exposed animals. Following on from this, a study will be undertaken to examine what would be an appropriate sampling regime to detect infection in vaccinated herds exposed to infection. However, at present, the test is not internationally recognised as a validated test.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will make a statement on her Department's involvement with the European Parliament's foot and mouth investigation; [65030]
(2) what liaison there has been with representatives of the EU during the Parliament's investigation into the foot and mouth outbreak in the United Kingdom. [65008]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 27 June 2002]DEFRA Ministers and officials have already met the European Parliament Temporary Committee into Foot and Mouth Disease. Nick Brown and Jim Scudamore met the Committee on 25 and 26 March and Lord Whitty and myself met the Committee on 8 April. The Secretary of State plans to meet the Committee on 12 September 2002.
The DEFRA Inquiry Liaison Unit has maintained contact with and supported the Secretariat of the European Parliament Temporary Committee throughout.