Written questions

Bovine Tuberculosis: Testing

Commons · Question 7688 · Tabled 8 Jun 2026 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Official record

Answered 11 Jun 2026

Question

Asked by Sarah Dyke

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to expand circumstances in which private veterinary surgeons are permitted to use more sensitive bovine tuberculosis testing technologies in commercial set

Answer

Answered by Dame Angela Eagle, 11 Jun 2026

Statutory tuberculin skin testing (SICCT) and interferon-gamma blood testing (IFNy) of cattle herds will remain the foundation of bovine tuberculosis (TB) control and will continue to be required. The recently published co-designed bovine TB Control Strat...