Better Access to Cattle History Could Limit TB Spread
UK – Changes in how animal history is shared at the point of sale will improve farmer’s chances in avoiding bovine tuberculosis.
3 May 2013
1 minute read
This is the message of the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) following recommendations made by the industry-led Risk-based Trading Group (RBTG) in England.
Under the new rules, farmers will be informed of the tb risk a new cow poses. Defra and the industry have promised join forces and develop buyer and seller guidance to allow cattlemen to make the most of this new information.
RBTG Chairman, Professor Bill Reilly expressed confidence in the recommendations adding that they were practical.
“We believe that the recommendations contained in our report are practical solutions that will be of real value to help reduce the spread of this terrible disease,” said Professor Reilly. “We encourage industry and Government to work together to implement our recommendations.”
Farming Minister David Heath said that the knowledge sharing initiative will come as a great addition to the armoury against tuberculosis.
“Bovine TB is a terrible disease which we have to get to grips with and I am determined that we do everything we possibly can to prevent its spread,” said Mr Heath. “Risk-based trading based on an animals’ TB risk will be a great step forward in empowering farmers to reduce the spread of this disease.“
TheCattleSite News Desk
