TB tests could cost producers millions
TB tests could cost producers millions
By Johann Tasker
LIVESTOCK producers could face a £4m bill to fund more tests for tuberculosis in cattle 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 in a statement on Monday (July 24).
MAFF officials refused to give any details of the money involved ahead of Mr Browns announcement. But proposals to increase TB testing outside "hot-spot" areas were discussed by experts and interested parties at a meeting of MAFFs TB Forum on Thur (July 13), farmers weekly can reveal.
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. The additional cost of employing MAFF staff to carry out the tests should be met by the government, it adds.
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. However, it could be up to £3m for the farming industry and up to £1.2m for the government.
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 the MAFF web-site for January to March 2000 indicate an increase of 14-19% in confirmed TB incidents over the same period last year.
However, ministers have rejected an NFU plea to allow farmers to shoot badgers in an attempt to control TB in cattle. A MAFF spokesman said ministers wanted to wait for the results of the governments official badger culling trial before considering more extreme measures.
The National Federation of Badger Groups, which opposes the cull, has long-called for the government to improve TB testing of cattle and strengthen restrictions on the movement of cattle to areas of the country. Those proposals are also being considered by farmers and conservationists on the TB forum. *