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Frequent TB testing for cattle 'more effective' than badger culls | Frequent TB testing for cattle 'more effective' than badger culls |
(6 days later) | |
More frequent testing of cattle for tuberculosis is a “no-brainer” in curbing the disease in England, according to a scientist whose new analysis of government statistics shows the policy is working in Wales. In contrast, TB in cattle is rising in England, where testing is less frequent and a controversial badger cull is taking place. | More frequent testing of cattle for tuberculosis is a “no-brainer” in curbing the disease in England, according to a scientist whose new analysis of government statistics shows the policy is working in Wales. In contrast, TB in cattle is rising in England, where testing is less frequent and a controversial badger cull is taking place. |
“To me, this is a no-brainer,” said Professor Matthew Evans, at Queen Mary University of London. “It is clear that testing cattle frequently is the most effective way of reducing bovine TB. Farmers and policymakers should not ignore this evidence which is based on the government’s data.” | “To me, this is a no-brainer,” said Professor Matthew Evans, at Queen Mary University of London. “It is clear that testing cattle frequently is the most effective way of reducing bovine TB. Farmers and policymakers should not ignore this evidence which is based on the government’s data.” |
Previous work by Evans has shown that culling badgers, which can harbour TB, will not eradicate the disease in cattle. “You could cull all the badgers and you would still have TB,” he said. | Previous work by Evans has shown that culling badgers, which can harbour TB, will not eradicate the disease in cattle. “You could cull all the badgers and you would still have TB,” he said. |
Pilot badger culls in Gloucestershire and Somerset entered their third year at the start of September, despite having been judged ineffective and inhumane by experts, and began in Dorset for the first time. | Pilot badger culls in Gloucestershire and Somerset entered their third year at the start of September, despite having been judged ineffective and inhumane by experts, and began in Dorset for the first time. |
Over 32,000 TB-infected cattle were slaughtered in 2014 and ministers and farmers insist a badger cull is necessary, alongside other measures. But most independent experts dismiss the cull as an expensive distraction that could actually increase TB infections, as setts are disrupted and badgers roam more widely. | Over 32,000 TB-infected cattle were slaughtered in 2014 and ministers and farmers insist a badger cull is necessary, alongside other measures. But most independent experts dismiss the cull as an expensive distraction that could actually increase TB infections, as setts are disrupted and badgers roam more widely. |
The new research analysed official data on TB in cattle from 2008-2014 and used statistical methods to smooth out seasonal variations. This revealed that in Wales, where TB testing since 2010 has been at least every year and often every six months, the number of cattle slaughtered per month fell from 1,000 to under 600. | |
Testing is less frequent in England: every four years in some areas, every two years in others and annually in areas of high TB. The analysis showed TB in cattle is rising in England. Evans said the Welsh policy was likely to lead to the eradication of TB but the English policy was not. | Testing is less frequent in England: every four years in some areas, every two years in others and annually in areas of high TB. The analysis showed TB in cattle is rising in England. Evans said the Welsh policy was likely to lead to the eradication of TB but the English policy was not. |
The badger cull pilots in England and a badger vaccination scheme in Wales were both currently too small to have affected the national statistics, Evans said. | The badger cull pilots in England and a badger vaccination scheme in Wales were both currently too small to have affected the national statistics, Evans said. |
“This new research provides extremely strong evidence of what many experts in veterinary disease control have known for many years - that it is crucial to test cattle as frequently as possible in order to control bovine TB,” said Professor Alastair Macmillan, veterinary adviser to the Humane Society International/UK and a former government scientist. | “This new research provides extremely strong evidence of what many experts in veterinary disease control have known for many years - that it is crucial to test cattle as frequently as possible in order to control bovine TB,” said Professor Alastair Macmillan, veterinary adviser to the Humane Society International/UK and a former government scientist. |
“Frequent cattle testing is particularly important as the sensitivity of current tests is not very high, meaning that cattle incubating TB are not detected and are allowed to remain in the herd to infect others over the following months. These cattle are by far the most common reason why cattle herds suffer repeated TB breakdowns, not badgers,” said Macmillan. | “Frequent cattle testing is particularly important as the sensitivity of current tests is not very high, meaning that cattle incubating TB are not detected and are allowed to remain in the herd to infect others over the following months. These cattle are by far the most common reason why cattle herds suffer repeated TB breakdowns, not badgers,” said Macmillan. |
He said the government should stop wasting time and money on the badger cull and focus on more frequent tests: “How much more research and scientific evidence does this government need before it listens to the rational facts?” | He said the government should stop wasting time and money on the badger cull and focus on more frequent tests: “How much more research and scientific evidence does this government need before it listens to the rational facts?” |
A spokesman for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “We are taking strong action to deliver our 25-year strategy to eradicate the disease and protect the future of our dairy and beef industries. This includes strengthening cattle testing and movement controls, vaccinating badgers in the buffer zone around high-risk areas, and culling badgers where the disease is rife. Our approach of tackling the disease in wildlife and cattle has worked overseas and is supported by leading vets.” | A spokesman for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “We are taking strong action to deliver our 25-year strategy to eradicate the disease and protect the future of our dairy and beef industries. This includes strengthening cattle testing and movement controls, vaccinating badgers in the buffer zone around high-risk areas, and culling badgers where the disease is rife. Our approach of tackling the disease in wildlife and cattle has worked overseas and is supported by leading vets.” |
Note: This article originally said that since 2010 in Wales, the number of cattle slaughtered per year fell from 1,000 to under 600. The figures are per month. |
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