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Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Volume 479: debated on Monday 1 September 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the pilot badger cull in combating bovine tuberculosis; and if he will make a statement. (220020)

The ministerial decision in Wales allows Welsh Assembly officials to consider all the options for culling badgers as part of an ‘intensive action area’. Final decisions on what this will involve are not expected before the end of the year. No discussions have been held.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the First Minister in Wales on the effectiveness of the pilot badger cull in combating bovine tuberculosis; and if he will make a statement. (220328)

The Minister of Rural Affairs in Wales' decision allows the Welsh Assembly to consider all the options for culling badgers as part of an 'intensive action area'. Final decisions on what this will involve are not expected before the end of the year. No discussions have yet been held.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what powers the EU has in relation to the control of bovine TB in the UK. (221528)

The requirements under European law to control the spread of TB are set out in EU directive 64/432/EEC, a trade directive covering health requirements for cattle and pigs.

In addition, directives 77/391, (as amended by directive 82/400), and 78/52, set out the requirements for member states in relation to eradication plans for a number of endemic diseases, including bovine TB.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations he has received from Sir David King on his policy on bovine TB; and if he will make a statement. (221529)

Sir David King has not made any representations to the Secretary of Sate since the latest TB announcement. However, the Secretary of State met with him as part of the decision-making process leading up to the announcement.