Think harder before culling – NBA

21 May 2001



Think harder before culling – NBA

By Alistair Driver

THE National Beef Association has called for a more considered approach to the foot-and-mouth cull policy as the number of new cases declines.

It claims that fewer cases mean government vets should spend more time identifying which animals near infected holdings are most at risk from the virus.

This should enable a more selective, risk-based cull policy to replace blanket slaughter on neighbouring premises, says the association.

Agriculture minister Nick Brown announced last month that the government would be taking a more risk-based approach to the extended cull.

But NBA chief executive Robert Forster said that a further refinement was possible now the average of daily cases is down to five.

“There are increasingly strong arguments that support the view that less cattle can be killed without jeopardising control of the disease or delaying the all-clear.”

The risk of foot-and-mouth spreading from holding to holding by the wind appears to be much lower than previously though, Mr Forster added.

“Some scientists agree the current virus is 200% less likely to spread through the air than in 1967, and not enough notice is being taken of this.”

Risk assessment should therefore focus more on contact through people, animals or vehicles and less on geographical location.

The association has also called for a collection centre system for calves to ensure animals bred for beef on dairy farms can reach finishing units.

Next springs supply of prime cattle is at risk because animals going for slaughter on finishing units are not being replaced.

Most dairy beef units are only running at 75% capacity, and the situation is worsening, said NBA chairman Robert Robinson.

“The stocking pressure on dairy farms and rearing units has become acute while feeding farms are running short of animals.

“We think a properly organised collection system is the only answer.”

A controlled system would enable calves to be moved from breeding farms to rearing units for six weeks and then to finishing units, said Mr Robinson.

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