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Bovine TB - A Practical Support Guide

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Mole Valley Farmers Ltd disclaims any inaccuracies in the content contained in this booklet as well as information on third party websites.

Introduction

Over 80% of herds that have been tested positive for bovine TB in England are located in the Westcountry. The disease is a national problem but the effects are felt most strongly where there are many farms under restriction in a local area. In Devon & Cornwall, for example, one in four cattle herds have been placed under restriction during 2009. Some farmers have had TB positive cattle test results year after year.

Being under restriction means that cattle can only be sold to other TB restricted farms on direct to the abattoir and whole herd testing is required every 60 days. The farmer only receives compensation for TB positive animals that are taken for slaughter but a farmer is not compensated for the disruption to his business and the consequences from lost production. (Breeding lines, lost milk production, emotional stress and uncertainty).

The outbreak of Foot & Mouth Disease in 2001 resulted in the widespread slaughter of cattle and sheep followed by cleansing of farms and restocking. Bovine TB has increased steadily since that time, despite the introduction of more stringent cattle testing carried out by veterinary surgeons.

Many businesses that trade with farmers are aware of the frustration felt by a local community because of the repetitive cattle testing and slaughter. Mole Valley Farmers, along with other businesses, are pleased to be associated with the initiative to tackle the disease by sensitively combining wildlife management with cattle management.

Light at the end of the TB tunnel?

The Government’s consultation paper, released last month, hit the headlines across the nation. It runs to 54 pages of background and recommendations on how this new strategy could begin the fight back against a disease, which has dogged the livestock industry and politicians for generations. The document is a ‘must read’ for all cattle farmers and will be of interest to many country dwellers as well.

This is a consultation document, which will spark members of the Badger Trust and the RSPCA to flood the Minister with their opposition to any badger cull. In his introduction, the Minister urges everyone to respond, Farmers and those who would not naturally do so. The paper was flagged by the media, as only being about badger culling, but there are other constructive recommendations on updating the measures for cattle movements, testing protocols and farm biosecurity.

Although the cull is the most significant change to government policy, the Ministers proposals include other recommendations, which are designed to address the disease in as many ways as possible. The continued focus on a vaccine for both badgers and cattle is seen as a viable tool in the box. An injectable badger vaccine is already undergoing field trials, with an oral version due to come on stream in the next couple of years and one for cattle, possibly being available by 2014. Vaccines could be a major step forward in preventing the spread of TB, but they are a long term solution.

Proposals for further adjustments to the existing cattle measures are also long overdue and are intended to be much more risk based, focusing on the key areas of infection spread. All in all, these proposals represent the biggest opportunity in a generation to refocus the attack on TB in cattle and badgers. Farmers are often portrayed as wanting to rid the countryside of badgers completely. Nothing could be further from the truth. They are countrymen and enjoy having a wide variety of wildlife on their farms. However, they are acutely aware that some badgers are carrying a disease, which is causing a threat to their cattle. They find it difficult to accept having to continually see their infected cattle slaughtered, knowing the risk of continued infection from a wildlife species which shares the environment with their stock.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to separate infected badgers from healthy ones. The evidence also shows it is not necessary to wipe out the badger population completely to achieve a reduction in TB in both species, so a partial cull is likely to benefit badgers and cattle. TB is a complicated and persistent disease, which has dogged the countryside for too long. Action needs to be taken to reverse the continual spread across the country.

The NFU and NBA are holding open meetings across the region, where the consultation will be discussed in detail. All are welcome including non members and non farming country dwellers. The Government is proposing to implement a strategy, which is likely to be politically controversial and should be congratulated for being prepared to grasp the nettle. These proposals do not represent a quick solution to clearing the country of TB, but it is an essential first step down the long road towards that goal.

Readers are urged to obtain the consultation document and make up their own mind on the questions being asked. We believe the Government should be supported in their strategy and we encourage everyone to reply to the consultation in a positive way.

TB Consultation meetings organised by the NFU took place during November 2010.

For more information visit www.nfuonline.com.
 


 

 


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