Defra denies Brussels TB help request

DEFRA has denied claims it has asked Brussels for help in developing its bovine TB strategy.

The claim was made by Neil Parish, chairman of the European Parliament Agriculture Committee, following a meeting with European Health Commissioner, Androulla Vassiliou.

He said the Commissioner revealed that the UK had put in a request by telephone for the Commission’s animal disease task force to visit the UK to investigate methods for eradicating the disease.

"She also confirmed that the UK has agreed to bring forward a plan by April on how the Government intends to tackle the problem," Mr Parish said.