Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Phillips and George Eustice

Thursday 5th May 2016 Commons Chamber

[George Eustice]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. I recognise the specific challenges in parts of the edge area, notably in Cheshire, and we have therefore introduced much more frequent—six-monthly—testing in Cheshire to get on top of the disease, which has been a success. We have also increased the use of the more sensitive interferon gamma blood test as a supplement to the skin test to ensure that we can remove infected cattle from herds more quickly.

[Stephen Phillips (Sleaford and North Hykeham) (Con)]

7. What recent assessment she has made of the effect on the farming community of delays in payments by the Rural Payments Agency.