VIDEO: TB stocking rules causing farmers concern

New TB stocking rules are having a considerable knock-on effect throughout the beef industry, according to one Devon farmer who recently suffered a TB breakdown.

Mark Weekes, who finishes more than 200 beef cattle a year at Dunsmore Farm, Silverton, cannot bring new stock onto the farm for 60 days after one animal showed visible lesions following a positive TB test.

“I normally buy a lot of store cattle to finish, but can’t buy anything now, which is having a massive effect on my income and ability to generate income to employ two staff, as well my ability to keep a continual supply of cattle to the abattoir.

“At this time of year grass in the West Country is at its best, but we’ll have to go to the expense of conserving it as silage to feed to the animals when we can restock.

“If we don’t get on and control TB we could get to the point where the South West is shut down completely, which will have a massive effect, not only on agriculture, but all the other ancillary industries.”