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Bovine Tuberculosis
2. Mr. Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield): If he will make a statement on the progress of the trials investigating the control and spread of bovine TB. [107879]
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Elliot Morley): Six triplets have been enrolled in the badger culling trial and initial proactive culling has been carried out in three of them. We aim to announce the remaining trial areas in the course of this year.
Mr. Winterton: Although bovine TB is a highly complex scientific issue, does the Minister agree that it is also an urgent economic issue for farmers, particularly the dairy farmers in my constituency of Macclesfield, in Congleton, in Eddisbury and in other constituencies elsewhere in the country? Although there is a need for scientific investigation, does he agree that that should not be used as an excuse for Government inaction? What steps are the Government now taking urgently to control the spread of bovine TB?
Mr. Morley: We regard bovine TB as one of the most serious issues that MAFF faces. We have committed significant resources to the Krebs experiment, but it would be undermined if we took action outside the trial areas. However, we are concerned about the spread of TB. We have set up the TB forum, which has the freedom to consider the situation outside the experiment areas, and we shall listen to its advice carefully.
Mr. David Drew (Stroud): I am sure that we shall debate the matter at greater length in Westminster Hall this afternoon. Does my hon. Friend agree that there is a need to consider help with consequential loss, particularly when herds that have been closed can be re-closed because of the increased incidence of bovine TB? We must consider in particular the discrimination against those farmers who seek to reduce their cost base by increasing collaboration and by sharing milking. They are the very people who are most adversely affected by that awful disease.
Mr. Morley: I understand my hon. Friend's point. As he knows, we have increased compensation to farmers by 200 per cent., to reflect the problems that they face because of TB. We are not in a position to make extra compensation for consequential losses, but we will keep the situation under review.
Sir Michael Spicer (West Worcestershire): Is the Minister aware that the delays, uncertainty and secrecy surrounding the studies of badgers and TB are causing great consternation throughout Worcestershire, which is one of the areas in which the trials are meant to be taking place?
Mr. Morley: There have been delays and problems with recruitment, the weather and interference. Some of
those problems were predicted and we were not surprised by them. The independent scientific group still believes that the experiment is on course and that we can deal with the problems, and we are tackling them.Flood Defences
3. Mr. Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Hall Green): What progress has been made in implementing the Bye report on flood defence; and if he will make a statement. [107880]
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Elliot Morley): A good deal of progress has been made towards the Government's priority of a seamless and integrated service of flood forecasting, warning and response.
Mr. McCabe: I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that, with climate change becoming more and more of a reality, the need for effective flood defences, particularly in low-lying areas, cannot be overstated? Is he satisfied that the Environment Agency is on target to complete its action plan for flood defences?
Mr. Morley: I am glad to say that the Environment Agency is meeting the target that we set for the action plan that we put in place following the Northampton floods. We are certainly facing rising sea levels, and we are building in projections to our sea defence strategy and making more resources available, but of course we cannot prevent all floods. We can improve warnings and try to minimise risk. I hope that the House will join me in paying tribute to all the staff from the Environment Agency, local authorities and the emergency services who worked so hard over the holiday period to shore up defences.
Mr. Tim Boswell (Daventry): We echo those sentiments about work done by the Environment Agency. What consultations has the Minister had with his colleagues in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions about the implications of its strictures on building on flood plains for the overall capacity of counties, such as Northamptonshire, in or near the south-east to absorb the houses that DETR wishes on them as part of its proposals? Does he not realise that it will be impossible both to make land available for housing and to safeguard the same land because of its enhanced apparent flood risk?
Mr. Morley: I understand the point that the hon. Gentleman makes. We are in consultation with DETR. The Bye report referred to problems of flood plain development and the fact that, in the past, advice from the former National Rivers Authority was not taken into account. The issue is important, and I know that my colleagues in DETR will take it into account in future planning guidance.
Mr. Tony Clarke (Northampton, South): Will my hon. Friend comment further on progress being made by the Environment Agency in respect of advice given to planning authorities? I thank my hon. Friend and his staff for the professional and sensitive manner in which they dealt with the queries of my constituents. Often, advice
given by the Environment Agency to a local authority is at best non-committal, and sometimes unhelpful and over-cautious. Finally, may I welcome the appointment of Sir John Harman? Having had a run-in with his predecessor, I hope to have a much better relationship with him.
Mr. Morley: I know that my hon. Friend has been deeply involved in these matters, following the tragedy that occurred in Northampton. I am sure that he will be pleased to see all the lessons learned from that being applied. One result is that the Environment Agency has now produced flood risk plans, which are being sent to all local authorities in the country so that they know the areas at risk. That will assist planning policy for the future.
Northern Ireland (BSE)
4. Mr. William Thompson (West Tyrone): What progress is being made in discussions with the European Commission to categorise Northern Ireland as a low BSE incidence area; and if he will make a statement. [107881]
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Nick Brown): The matter is under discussion between the UK Agriculture Departments. The Northern Ireland Minister, Brid Rogers, made out a strong case when we met recently. I find the Northern Ireland case persuasive and want to help to take it forward constructively.
Mr. Thompson: I thank the Minister for his positive reply. I am sure that he appreciates the efforts that have been made by the new Minister of Agriculture in Northern Ireland to further the case. It is a strong case, and I urge the Minister to redouble his efforts to bring it to a happy fruition, because of its importance to the farming industry in Northern Ireland.
Mr. Brown: I want to work constructively with the responsible authorities in Northern Ireland to take the issue forward in a constructive way. The case is a good one. Other countries that have been accepted as low risk, such as the Republic of Ireland, have a higher incidence of the disease than Northern Ireland. The House may be interested to know that, in 1999, there were some eight cases of BSE per million head of adult cattle in Northern Ireland. That compares with about 25 in Ireland, 50 in Switzerland, 230 in Portugal and 365 in Great Britain.
Mr. Harry Barnes (North-East Derbyshire): I was pleased with my right hon. Friend's response. I support the position adopted by the hon. Member for West Tyrone (Mr. Thompson) who, on this matter, is supporting a united Ireland approach and obviously believes in equality for farmers throughout the island of Ireland. My right hon. Friend will be aware that the Ulster Farmers Union has stated:
- "On science and on fact we qualify as a low incidence region."
Mr. Brown: The figure that I have is between seven and eight, but we will not quarrel--the point is clear. We have not yet succeeded, but the case is a good one, founded in fact, and I want to take it forward.
Mr. Tim Yeo (South Suffolk): If the Minister is too weak to stand up for Northern Ireland, will he tell us--[Interruption.] Yes, he is engulfed in bureaucratic excuses for not doing what the hon. Member for West Tyrone (Mr. Thompson) asked. Will the Minister tell the House what action he is taking to protect British consumers against the dangers of eating French beef, following this week's report which exposed the scandalously defective procedures in France, where large numbers of potential BSE cases are being slaughtered without proper inspection or even proper recording, and from which meat is being sold for human consumption?
Mr. Brown: I see now why the hon. Gentleman was not moved in his party's last reshuffle--certainly not to Northern Ireland. These issues are not easy. The proper approach is to work constructively with those who understand them and to find a constructive way forward. We do exactly the same on food safety issues--
Mr. John Bercow (Buckingham): Supine.
Mr. Brown: I do not think that the public who are being protected by the measure that we have in place would regard the Government's attitude as supine. Such remarks come ill from members of the Conservative party, which presided over the BSE crisis in this country. We act on professional advice on the safety of food and of imported food, and we will continue to do so.
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