§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish a record of serological testing carried out by her Department since 1 January 2001, on a regional basis, indicating(a) what animals were tested on each farm, (b) the percentage sample which were taken, (c) the results of the tests taken and (d) what consequential actions were taken. [62538]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 17 June 2002]: It is not possible to provide this information as it would involve the disclosure of personal data which are protected by the Data Protection Act 1998. Over 3 million serological tests were carried out, the vast majority for serological surveillance in declaring the Protection Zones (0–3 km) and Surveillance Zones (3–10 km) around each infected premises free from foot and mouth disease. In response to the four specific questions raised:
- (a) erological testing was primarily carried out on sheep and goats.
- (b) The serological surveillance was designed to detect a 5 per cent. prevalence of seropositive sheep with 95 per cent. confidence in each management group on a holding.
- (c) The results of tests are not readily available on a regional basis.
- (a) The consequential action taken depended on the reasons for the serological sampling ie epidemiology, lifting Infected Areas, etc. and the epidemiological assessment of the results.