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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the 25 year strategy for tackling bovine TB.

The Government is taking strong action to deliver a long-term plan to eradicate bovine TB. The comprehensive strategy includes strengthening cattle testing and movement controls, improving biosecurity on farm and when trading, and badger control in areas where TB is rife.

The strategy is delivering results. Later this year we will apply for Officially TB free status in the Low Risk Area of the country where there is no significant TB in wildlife.