Bovine TB (Hansard, 6 November 2002)

§ Andrew George
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what timetable her Department has set for the future publication of(a) DEFRA and (b) DEFRA-commissioned research into the epidemiology of bovine TB. [77395]

§ Mr. Morley
Final reports of Defra-commissioned research into the epidemiology of bovine TB are published on the Defra website once individual projects are complete. Some of the current projects are not scheduled to end until 2005.
In addition the results of the badger culling trial, overseen by the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB, are expected to be available in 2005.

§ Andrew George
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to ensure that(a) NGOs and (b) the public may have access to all up to date bovine TB research funded and programmed by her Department. [77389]

§ Mr. Morley
Defra's annual Research Requirements Document includes a complete list of all Defra's current research projects, including those on bovine TB. It is available to all on the Defra website. Annual reports of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB also include summary updates of Defra-funded TB research. These are available on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are represented on the TB Forum and are made aware of the content of the TB research programme on a regular basis.
A review of the research on bovine TB over the last 5 years will take place in early November. Following the review an output document will be made available to members of the TB Forum and will be available to members of the public via the Defra website.
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§ Mr. Lidington
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with her Irish counterpart about measures to control bovine tuberculosis. [74862]

§ Margaret Beckett
In 2001, Defra officials, Defra's independent animal vaccine programme adviser and members of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) visited the Irish Government's veterinary department and met with researchers to discuss TB control and progress on the Four Area Badger Study. Since the meeting a collaborative research project on badger vaccination has been set up by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency and the University of Dublin.