Schmallenberg Virus Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Lord Clark of Windermere
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Schmallenberg Virus
Lord Clark of Windermere Excerpts(12 years ago)
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Lord De Mauley
I agree with my noble friend. Generally speaking, midges are very widespread across the country and I think that the application of a spray would have minimal impact.
Lord Clark of Windermere
My Lords, in view of the emergence of a worrying number of animal and plant diseases, which may or may not be connected with the nuances of climate change, will the Minister give us an assurance that none of the drastic cuts being made by the Government in their own research facilities will hinder the evolution of vaccines to counter things such as bovine TB, the Schmallenberg virus and Ash dieback?
Lord De Mauley
If I may, I shall restrict my response to the Schmallenberg virus for these purposes. I assure noble Lords that the necessary funding has been made available particularly to carry out the testing which is so critical in this case.