Buyers could be told cattle’s TB risk status
Cattle TB-risk information will be shared with buyers when animals are sold under recommendations made by an industry-led group to help combat the disease.
Farm leaders acknowledge that the risk-based trading scheme will be controversial for many producers. But they believe it could help farmers buy and sell livestock with more confidence.
The proposals would see the establishment of a new database containing detailed information about the TB history of cattle offered for sale. The recommendation for the database was made by the industry-led Risk-Based Trading Group (RBTG) in England.
DEFRA believes the move will mean a fairer price for farmers with TB-free cattle in high risk areas. Farm minister David Heath said: “Trading based on an animal’s TB risk will be a great step forward in empowering farmers to reduce the spread of this disease.”
RBTG chairman Bill Reilly said: “We believe that the recommendations contained in our report are practical solutions that will be of real value to help reduce the spread of this terrible disease.”
“I know a number of these recommendations will be a challenge for some farmers and we will need to consider these recommendations and how they can be brought about practically in some detail. However, the wider benefits of being able to buy and sell stock, knowing the risks, should allow farmers to purchase livestock with more confidence.”
Adam Quinney
The NFU said the provision of TB information and herd history had the potential to help farmers in all areas assess the TB risks when buying livestock. Other countries have shown how truly effective industry databases can help the farming industry control and eradicate disease.
NFU vice-president Adam Quinney said: “I know a number of these recommendations will be a challenge for some farmers and we will need to consider these recommendations and how they can be brought about practically in some detail. However, the wider benefits of being able to buy and sell stock, knowing the risks, should allow farmers to purchase livestock with more confidence.”
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