§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what targets her Department has set for the time it should take to remove from farms, cattle that react positively to the TB skin test. [76508]
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§ Mr. MorleyThere is a target of 10 working days for the removal of TB reactor cattle from farms.
§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of farmers suffering TB outbreaks in their herds have adequate isolation facilities in which to house infected cattle; and if she will make a statement. [76510]
§ Mr. MorleyInformation on stock isolation facilities is not routinely gathered by Defra. When TB reactors or animals that react inconclusively to the TB test are disclosed, farmers receive verbal guidance on isolating those animals from the rest of the herd while awaiting slaughter or re-test. In addition, Defra has provided farmers with free guidance on reducing the risk of TB in their herds either by means of cattle to cattle spread, or from a wildlife reservoir.
§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans her Department has to provide financial assistance to farmers who need to improve biosecurity through new isolation facilities to cope with possible outbreaks of(a) TB and (b) other infectious animal diseases. [76511]
§ Mr. MorleyThere are no plans to provide financial assistance to farmers to help them to establish new isolation facilities, either in respect of(a) TB or (b) other infectious animal diseases.
§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans her Department has to include TB test dates on cattle passports. [76512]
§ Mr. MorleyAs a biosecurity measure Defra has advised farmers purchasing cattle to ascertain when the animals being bought in were last tested for TB. There are no plans to include TB test dates on cattle passports.