Two tests a year for cattle in bid to end bovine TB

SIX-MONTHLY TESTS for bovine TB are to be introduced for herds in ‘high-risk’ areas of the country, under plans outlined by the Government to stamp out the disease.

The more frequent tests will mainly be in the South-West and parts of the Midlands, with annual tests preserved for herds that have gone five or more years without disease.

The Government says dealing with Bovine TB in England costs taxpayers more than £100m a year, required the culling of more than 29,000 cattle in 2016.

Bovine Tuberculosis is caused by bacterium which can also infect and cause disease in many other mammals including humans, deer, goats, pigs, cats, dogs and badgers.

Culling is part of the Government’s 25-year strategy to eradicate the disease, but opponents say there is no evidence it is effective. Almost 20,000 badgers were killed this year.

Farming Minister George Eustice said: “Our comprehensive strategy to eradicate bovine TB is delivering results.

“We are introducing more frequent testing of cattle to find and stamp out disease more quickly than ever before, to add to our tough restrictions on cattle movements to stop disease spreading.

“We are also addressing the disease in wildlife and it is encouraging to see early research shows badger control is having the expected results in driving down levels of TB.”

Other measures announced yesterday include new compensation arrangements for farmers whose pigs, sheep, goats and deer have to be slaughtered because of bovine TB.