Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with his overseas counterparts on the efficacy of ActiPhage novel technology for testing for bovine TB.
The Actiphage test is not used for TB testing in any other country and the only scientific paper published on the performance of the Actiphage test in a small number of cattle is based on UK data.
Officials frequently discuss all aspects of TB control with overseas counterparts and the wider expert community. The most recent opportunity was at the ERADbTB (Eradication of bovine tuberculosis through basic research and discovery) and GRAbTB (Global Research Alliance on bovine tuberculosis) Workshop in Birmingham on 11 and 12 December 2017. In the event that any other country were to begin to use the Actiphage test we would discuss their experience of using the test and its effectiveness. My department has informed the manufacturers of the test that it needs to be validated to OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) standards before it can be considered for official use in England.