Bovine Tuberculosis

Defra's latest quarterly statistics showed over 13,000 cattle were slaughtered in 2024 due to bTB, a 27% increase compared to 2023

Phase 3 of the field trials will take place on commercial cattle farms in areas of England and Wales, where there is a low incidence of bTB and are set to be completed in 2026/7

UFU said it has been told by Northern Ireland's Chief Veterinary Officer that the current bTB strategy review was still in ‘draft form' and had not yet undergone scrutiny by policy developers

UFU president William Irvine said there was extremely limited focus on the most critical issue – the need for an effective eradication programme addressing all sources of infection

The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) held a crisis meeting with Northern Ireland's leading food businesses and organisations to address the threat facing farming from government policies

The TB24c licence will authorise the general movement of bovine animals to a licensed slaughterhouse, allowing bTB-restricted keepers to send cattle either directly or through an approved bTB slaughter gathering to an approved slaughterhouse in England and Wales

Dairy farmer Michael Williams and his vet Rhiannon Lewis are utilising historical test data on-farm to identify ‘residual disease risk' in clear-testing cattle, through the identification and management of high-risk animals for slaughter and improved biosecurity

On September 18 the Sêr Cymru Centre of Excellence for Bovine TB at Aberystwyth University will be hosting its annual conference. This year the event focuses on the social dimensions of managing bovine TB in cattle

Defra said the new approach will use a 'data-led and scientific approach to end the badger cull by the end of this parliament'

NFU president said the wording 'disrespects' the incredible efforts farmers and the industry have made to try and deliver TB eradication by 2038