Oral Answers to Questions

Bill Esterson Excerpts
Thursday 10th October 2013

(11 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Owen Paterson Portrait Mr Paterson
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I am acutely aware of the concerns of livestock farmers about the risk to cattle posed by camelids. However, evidence suggests that camelids pose a very small risk of spreading the disease to cattle and badgers. In fact, there are no known cases where a cattle breakdown has been caused directly by transmission from camelids. Nevertheless, I have asked the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England for advice on a proportionate disease control regime for the camelid sector, including how surveillance, breakdown and pre-movement testing can be more effectively carried out.

Bill Esterson Portrait Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab)
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Media reports suggest that some gassing of badgers is taking place. Will the Secretary of State confirm that if his officials come across any evidence of the gassing of badgers, they pass it on to the police?