Cattle TB tests could cost millions

20 July 2000



Cattle TB tests could cost millions

By Johann Tasker

MORE tests for tuberculosis in cattle could cost farmers up to 4m following fears that the disease is more widespread than previously thought.

Farm minister Nick Brown is expected to unveil an increase in testing for bovine TB and more compensation to farmers on Monday (July 24).

Ministry of Agriculture officials refused to give any details of the tests or the amount of compensation involved ahead of Mr Browns announcement.

But proposals to increase TB testing outside “hot-spot” areas were discussed at a meeting of MAFFs TB Forum last Thursday (July 13).

A paper tabled at the meeting suggests tests should take place following a single confirmed case of bovine TB in any given area.

The cost to the industry “could be over 1m depending on the level of TB found,” the paper says.

A further proposal tabled at the meeting suggests that one quarter of all cattle, with the exception of beef fattening units, should be TB tested each year.

This would ensure that all cattle in the country are tested for the disease within the four-year time period required by MAFF, it adds.

To do this, the TB Forum paper says it would be necessary to bring forward up to 5000 herd tests.

The cost of doing so is “difficult to estimate” and would depend on the level of TB found. But it could be up to 3m for the farming industry, says the paper.

The proposals come against a backdrop of rising TB outbreaks which have resulted in NFU calls for radical government action in a bid to control the disease.

Provisional figures from MAFFs web-site indicate an increase of 14-19% in confirmed TB incidents for Jan- Mar 2000 over the same period last year.

However, ministers have rejected a plea by the National Farmers Union to allow farmers to shoot badgers in an attempt to control TB in cattle.

The National Federation of Badger Groups, which is against culling badgers, has long-called for the government to improve TB testing of cattle.

Proposals to strengthen restrictions on the movement of cattle to certain areas of the country are also being considered by MAFFs TB forum.

• Ministers reject badger culling plea, FWi, 14 July 2000
• MAFF to step up badger cull, FWi, 05 July, 2000