Bovine TB

Welsh farming unions have joined the British Veterinary Association (BVA) in welcoming the news that the use of Approved Tuberculin Testers (ATTs) in private practice in Wales has been given the go-ahead.

The new Defra Farming Minister, Mark Spencer, has hinted that a rethink on the phase out of badger culling could be on the way.

A 58-year-old farmer has died after being attacked by a bull during a Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) test.

New Prime Minister Liz Truss is under pressure to rethink bovine TB policies, as industry groups warn farmers must have ‘access to all available measures’ if the disease is to be eradicated.

The number of animals slaughtered due to bovine TB in England has fallen by 20 per cent, according to the latest Government figures.

The rollout of a usable cattle vaccine for bovine TB (bTB) will not eliminate the need for badger culls, veterinary experts have warned.

A farmer who failed to comply with livestock disease control measures has been ordered to pay £8,646 in fines and costs. 

Defra has rejected calls to apologise after three researchers hit out at Government criticism of a paper which claimed badger culls have had no effect in reducing incidence of TB in cattle.

A simplified licence enabling English farmers and landowners to vaccinate badgers has been introduced to help in the fight against bovine tuberculosis, the Government has announced.

Bovine tuberculosis remains one of the ‘main threats’ to Welsh farming, according to a report published by a Senedd committee.