Agriculture: Schmallenberg Virus

Baroness Masham of Ilton Excerpts

Wednesday 7th March 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

I can assure the noble Lord that we have already done that. We have had risk assessments by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the UK Health Protection Agency, both concluding that there is a very low likelihood of any risk from this disease to human health.

[Baroness Masham of Ilton]

I declare an interest as I have three flocks of sheep and we are coming up to lambing. What progress is being made on a serological blood test?

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

That is exactly what is being investigated at the moment. We do not have a blood test at present, but it is clearly going to be very important. This is a very new virus, and we know relatively little about it except the background from which it comes. We have very strong indications as to how it has come here. The work is ongoing, but I assure the noble Baroness that we are working hard to get a blood test.