§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have studied the findings regarding badgers and bovine tuberculosis of the trials conducted in the Irish Republic between 1997 and 2002, which were reported in Preventive Veterinary Medicine on 5 January; and what action they propose to take in response to these findings. [HL1013]
§ Lord WhittyWe are currently giving careful consideration to the findings of the Irish four area badger culling research. To help us decide on the most appropriate course of action we have asked independent scientists for advice on a number of issues in relation to the study, including whether the findings of the Irish research can be applied to the situation in Great Britain.
§ The Duke of Montroseasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the statistics they collect on badger deaths with reference to tuberculosis infection record the severity of infection in each animal; and [HL1034]
Whether they have found any noticeable correlation between the recording of badgers severely infected with tuberculosis and the proximity of new outbreaks of tuberculosis in cattle. [HL1035]
§ Lord WhittyAs part of the randomised badger culling trial and the Road Traffic Accident (RTA) survey, the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) is monitoring the severity of infection in badgers culled or killed on the roads.
The ISG is currently analysing data on the prevalence and pathology of TB in badgers collected as part of the badger culling trial and RTA survey and will present these analyses in the peer-reviewed press when completed.
The ISG has advised that the results of post-mortems should not be disclosed. However, information on the location of TB-infected RTA badgers collected outside trial areas is released to divisional veterinary managers to inform the measures they take with respect to disease control in cattle in the vicinity.