Bovine TB (Hansard, 19 April 2004)

§ Mr. Paterson
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what differences there are in the(a) epidemiological pattern and (b) success of control measures in respect of bovine TB in cattle between Scotland and England. [158340]
131W

§ Mr. Bradshaw
TB incidents in Scotland occur sporadically and tend to be geographically scattered across the country. They are generally associated with the introduction of infected cattle from Ireland or parts of England and Wales where TB is endemic. In contrast, most TB incidents in England occur in a number of traditional "TB hotspots" or endemic areas, thus showing a high degree of geographical clustering. Reactor numbers per incident and the proportion of confirmed incidents in Scotland are lower than in the endemic TB areas of England. This tends to make TB incidents in Scotland quicker to resolve by testing and removal of infected animals. Recurrent and chronic TB incidents are much more common in the endemically affected areas of England.

§ Mr. Paterson
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to integrate cattle health data into the British Cattle Movement Service database to assist in tracking the TB test status of cattle. [158667]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
This is an option being considered in the development of our delivery plan for the implementation of the short term measures proposed in the consultation document published on 9 February, "Preparing for a new GB strategy on bovine tuberculosis."

§ Mr. Paterson
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to what factors she attributes the 20 per cent. annual increase in bovine TB. [158809]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The 20 per cent. figure is the average annual increase in the number of TB reactors slaughtered for the period 1990 to 2001. The average number of herd breakdowns over the same period is 18 per cent.
In countries where there is no significant wildlife reservoir, cattle controls based on regular tuberculin testing, culling, movement restrictions (including tracing and contiguous testing) and slaughterhouse checks have been effective in controlling the disease. In many European Union countries, TB incidents in cattle herds are at a very low level.
In some parts of Great Britain, however, current cattle control measures are not proving effective in controlling the disease. It is not possible at present to quantify those elements of local disease spread that are due to wildlife as opposed to cattle spread, or to other factors.
The randomised badger culling trial, together with the related road traffic accident survey of badger carcases, and spoligotyping of Mycobacterium bovis strains, will provide further data on how the disease is spread. The TB99 epidemiological questionnaire has been designed to assess factors that might predispose herds to a TB breakdown, and their relative importance. The results of analyses of data collected up to 2002 should be published later this year.

§ Mr. Paterson
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the potential value of additional trade to the farming community if the United Kingdom regained its status as a TB-free area. [159056]
132W

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The United Kingdom has never held officially tuberculosis free (OFT) status, as defined in EU Directive 64/432/EEC, and no estimate has been made of the potential value to the farming community of additional trade if OFT status were to be achieved.

§ Mr. Paterson
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has sold beef carcases derived from animals purchased as a result of positive TB tests. [159293]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
Defra will sell any beef carcases that are passed fit for human consumption. Meat Hygiene Service officials will inspect all carcases and associated offals at licensed slaughterhouses, including reactor animals.
Carcases of TB reactors without visible lesions will be passed fit for human consumption, provided they otherwise meet the standard for post-mortem inspection.
In cases where there are localised lesions the officials will remove any TB affected organ or part of a carcase and the rest of the carcase will normally pass as fit for human consumption, unless another problem is found which makes it unfit.
Where TB lesions have been discovered in more than one organ or parts of the carcase, the whole carcase, offals and blood an rejected as being unfit for human consumption.
Cattle over 30 months old are not used for food.