Bovine TB

Farmers bringing cattle into Scotland are to be subject to tighter controls in order to reduce the risk of spreading bovine tuberculosis (bTB).

Cattle keepers on Anglesey are to receive additional advice from Welsh Government over the next few days, which it says is to help keep TB incidence on the island low.

Badger culling has to be part of the strategy to combat bovine TB, Farming Minister Mark Spencer told the NFU Conference.

More than 15,000 has so far been raised by a concerned Clarkson’s Farm viewer in support of a dairy farmer whose herd has been hit by bovine TB.

More than £15,000 has so far been raised by a concerned Clarksons Farm viewer in support of a dairy farmer whose herd has been hit by bovine TB.

There can be no doubt that culling badgers under licence from Defra has been a tremendous success for bovine TB control from a farmer’s perspective.

The Animal and Plant Health Association (APHA) has announced that field trials for cattle vaccine and new skin test for Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) are moving onto the next phase, in the fight to eradicate the disease.

The Government has been accused of failing its leading animal welfare facility, leaving UK farming, trade and health facing a ‘significant threat’ from disease, according to a report published this week.

Two forthcoming changes to the rules of licenced TB units will take affect by the end of the year. 

As Professor Christianne Glossop stands down from her role as Wales Chief Veterinary Officer following a 17-year tenure, she spoke to Hannah Binns about the challenges she had faced.