Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect vaccinations and Differentiate Infected from Vaccinated Animals tests to act as the primary control measure for bovine tuberculosis; and what assessment they have made of the costs of implementing such controls.

When combined with other disease control measures, we anticipate that a cattle vaccine, used in conjunction with a DIVA test to detect infected among vaccinated animals, has the potential to be a valuable additional tool in efforts to eradicate bovine tuberculosis. Vaccination is likely to enhance, not replace, existing control measures such as TB testing and movement controls.

HM Government is currently funding field trials in the United Kingdom aimed at gathering information to support applications for national marketing authorisations for the CattleBCG vaccine and DIVA skin test. Provided the field trials go as hoped and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate considers the applications satisfactory, we are aiming for marketing authorisations to be granted in 2025.

The cost of implementing cattle vaccination and DIVA testing will be dependent on the model of deployment adopted. Options for deployment are being considered and will likely be subject to consultation in the future.