To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his assessment is of the effect on market prices of pedigree livestock of (a) the foot and mouth and (b) the bluetongue outbreak; and if he will make a statement. (165467)

DEFRA’s current estimate of the economic cost to the UK livestock sector of the movement restrictions and the ban on exports, imposed as a result of foot and mouth disease and bluetongue, is over £100 million. Disaggregated estimates of the impact on market prices of pedigree livestock have not been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether officials have been (a) disciplined and (b) dismissed as a result of the escape of the foot and mouth virus from the Pirbright laboratory; and if he will make a statement. (165605)

[holding answer 21 November 2007]: No officials have been disciplined or dismissed as a result of the escape of the foot and mouth virus from the Pirbright laboratory. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)-led investigation did not apportion blame to officials.

It concluded that it was not possible to identify which of three possible sources—the Institute of Animal Health, Merial or Stabilitech— was the origin of the release. The issue of fault and enforcement action is for Surrey Trading Standards.