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Bovine Tuberculosis

Bovine Tuberculosis or bTB is a continual problem for all Britsh Dairy Farmers. There are no simple solutions to the problem and how the disease can be controlled in the short term, however it is crutial to the sustainablility of British Farming that the disease is eradicated from the national herd.

The disease has now been found in Goats as well as Sheep, Cats and Dogs and there is now a serious threat to Humans. With scientific research stating that the wildlife reservoir must be controlled in order to control the spread of TB, a targeted cull of the badger population appears to be the best option to control the disease. 

On July 7th 2008 the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs made a statement to parliament about government policy on bovine TB. The statement went against much scientific evidence and the decision was taken not to grant licence or undertake any form of badger cull.

The RABDF as a result of this decision has taken the decision along with other industry organisations to therefore no longer participate in industry consultations with Defra until further notice. The eight point plan to which RABDF have agreed can be found opposite.

To find out more on Tb please click on the following areas

  1. Relevant Statistics
  2. Testing
  3. The VLA9 Group
  4. The Vaccine

 

 

The Eight Point Agreement

  1. The Groups represented at the meeting reaffirm their commitment to do everything possible to contain and eradicate bovine TB.
  2. We demand that the government adopts a comprehensive programme to contain and ultimately eradicate this disease
  3. As part of this programme, the government must issue licences for the culling of wildlife as a disease control measure.
  4. We will support legal action to challenge the Secretary of State's decision that he would not issue such licences for TB control.
  5. We will not participate in the TB Partnership Group announced by the Secretary of State unless it can set its own agenda, is able to examine all aspects of the issue, and make its own recommendations to the Secretary of State.
  6. We urge the government to invite the Commission TB Task Force to England to make recommendations on a comprehensive eradication plan.
  7. We will urgently explore ways that future animal health decisions can be taken by an independent body.
  8. We will not participate in discussions on responsibility sharing and will resist any attempts by government to put extra costs on the industry in the context of cost sharing on animal health and welfare issues.