Bovine TB

Defra Secretary George Eustice has launched a new consultation on Government plans to phase out badger culls in England.

The need to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Northern Ireland was referenced as a priority issue at this week’s UFU press conference By Richard Halleron

A Pembrokeshire dairy farmer who lost his entire herd to bovine TB said his horrific experience showed the Welsh Government’s disease policy was failing to get on top of the disease.

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest an increase in Scotland’s badger population but few hard facts on population density or distribution.

I have decided to allocate time in this opinion piece to bovine TB – specifically residual disease.

Farm groups have welcomed the ‘positive’ news that new TB incidents across Wales have dropped by 10 per cent in the 12 months to August 2020.

Welsh vets responsible for TB testing face being moved to ports such as Holyhead to deal with Brexit issues after January 1, presenting major concerns for animal health.

Devolved governments have been accused of failing to take control of bovine TB after the EU imposed fines worth millions of euros for missing targets on eradication.

The NFU has said it ‘does not recognise’ claims made by activists who declared they have hacked a badger cull website and changed sensitive records.

It is that time of year again when there is intense tension between the agricultural community desperate to reduce bovine TB and those that seek to protect badgers.