§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the(a) minimum, (b) average and (c) maximum time taken to remove TB reactor cattle from farms in the last 12 months was. [76509]
§ Mr. MorleyFor the 12 month period 16 October 2001 to 15 October 2002 the data requested are as follows:
TB reactor removal times for Great Britain and England Area (a) Minimum (b) Average (c) Maximum Great Britain 01 23.9 3852 England only 01 24.7 3852 1 Animal removed and slaughtered on day of TB skin test reading. 2 Removal affected by FMD movement restrictions Note:
The data in the table relate to samples from TB reactor cattle which were subject to bacteriological examination. Data for other animals slaughtered for the purposes of TB control are not available.
Further analysis of the data available has shown that 75 per cent. of cases were removed and slaughtered within 36 days of the skin test reading in Great Britain and in England; 90 per cent. within 45 days in Great Britain (47 in England); 95 per cent. in 56 days in Great Britain (57 in England) and 99 per cent. within 78 days (79 in England).