To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will introduce a compensation scheme for bovine tuberculosis which varies payments according to the value of cattle. [HL1408]

Compensation for cattle affected by bovine tuberculosis (TB) in England is determined each month, primarily using table valuations based on contemporaneous sales prices. The 47 different cattle categories are based on the animal’s age, gender, type (dairy or beef), and status (pedigree or non-pedigree).

A judicial review of the compensation system accepted Defra’s submission that the true value of any animal affected by TB is the salvage value of its carcass, and there are no plans to introduce any substantial changes to the current system.