§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what predictive modelling has been applied to the possible application of the Bovigam gamma interferon test to control bovine TB under different bovine TB scenarios in the UK, using Bovigam's known levels of specificity and sensitivity. [172564]
§ Mr. BradshawSince 1997, DEFRA has commissioned two studies to evaluate the costs and benefits of using the Bovigam gamma interferon test to control bovine TB under different bovine TB scenarios in Great Britain. In carrying out the two economic assessments, predictive modelling was used to determine the likely outcomes under different bovine TB scenarios. The models used values for the specificity and sensitivity of the gamma interferon test published in the scientific literature from overseas field trials.
Project SE3018 investigated whether it would be cost-effective to use the gamma interferon test in herds with multiple tuberculin reactor animals. As the gamma interferon test is considered more sensitive than the skin test, its use in infected herds could improve the detection of tuberculous cattle. This would hasten the elimination of infection from herds and reduce the spread of infection among herds. However, this benefit has to be weighed against the extra cost that would result from the unnecessary slaughter of more non-tuberculous cattle due to the lower specificity of the gamma interferon test.
Project TD0604 investigated whether it would be cost-effective to use the gamma interferon test to resolve the tuberculosis status of herds in which only inconclusive reactor animals are detected at a routine herd test.
Final reports on these projects were submitted to Defra in April 2002 and November 1998, respectively.
§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what protocol her Department is using to examine post mortem cattle that are slaughtered in the Bovigam gamma interferon trial; and whether the protocol is the same as those used in other countries. [172566]
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§ Mr. BradshawAll animals (including those slaughtered from herds included in the gamma interferon (g-IFN) field trial) undergo standard post-mortem inspection in the slaughterhouse or other suitable facility, by Meat Hygiene Service and/or State Veterinary Service officials, depending upon local arrangements.
I am unaware of the particular post-mortem protocols applied in other countries, but assume standard meat inspections will be carried out on any g-IFN positive animals slaughtered as part of TB control programmes.
§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what response her Department made to the proposal of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB to undertake a field trial of the Bovigam gamma-interferon test. [172567]
§ Mr. BradshawWe sympathise with the desire of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) to maximise the science return of the gamma-interferon field pilot. However, implementing the ISG's proposals would present logistical difficulties, as well as raising complicated ethical and legal issues around identifying disease but not informing the herd owner, and taking samples from animals for experimental purposes rather than for the diagnosis of disease. It would also call for considerable additional resource.