Credibility Of TB Tests Is Called Into Question
UK - The owner of a £100,000 cow spared from slaughter after being cleared in a TB re-test has called for an overhaul of the TB testing regime and for the tabular valuation system to be scrapped.
10 May 2007
2 minute read
The result averted the nightmare scenario of Mr Bown getting just £855 in compensation for an animal one independent valuer put at £95,000, and another at £115,000.
But his experience has raised questions about the credibility of the TB testing and valuation regimes and he is furious at the actual and potential damage to his business caused by the incident.
Roxy came within 48 hours of being culled in February after she was deemed to have reacted to a pre-movement test performed by a private vet.
Two days later, Defra informed Mr Bown that the four-year-old cow was to be TB tagged the next day and slaughtered the day after that. But adamant a mistake had been made, he refused state vets permission to enter his farm.
At his own request, his whole herd was then tested by local state vets and shown to be in the clear.
He then persuaded the Department to grant a re-test of Roxy and 11 other animals tested at the same time on the grounds that the vet had not followed the correct procedures laid out by Defra in performing the tests. This took place last week and all 12 animals were negative.
“I feel very relieved and really pleased we have been found innocent. Having faced a brick wall initially I am very pleased with how the local state vets handled the re-test.
Source: Farmers Guardian
