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TUBERCULOS I S
Testing
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Changed from four year testing to annual testing.
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All farms within a 3km radius of a TB breakdown
in Derbyshire and Cheshire will have an immediate
skin test and another test six months later. No
movement restrictions are applied to herds in the
3km area - unless their tests identify reactors or the
tests become overdue.
TB breakdown
management
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Herd must pass two consecutive skin tests (rather
than one) at severe interpretation before movement
restrictions can be lifted.
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Compulsory gamma interferon blood testing (this is
also discretionary for herds where TB is suspected
but not confirmed).
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Detailed epidemiological investigation and analysis.
Preventative
measures
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Removal of CTS links between high risk and edge
areas - BCMS is in the process of contacting farmers.
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Promotion of ‘Risk Based Trading’
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Funding for badger vaccination.
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Support for vet-farmer meetings and local boards.
The ‘Edge’ - a summary
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If possible, keep/switch to a closed
herd. If this is not possible ‘develop a
“buying-in” protocol’ i.e. check the TB
status of herd and ensure evidence of
pre-movement test. Ideally isolate
bought-in stock for two months and then
conduct a post-movement TB test.
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Maintain effective field boundaries
(of at least three metres) between
neighbours' cattle, goats, camelids or
deer and avoid shared water sources.
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Do not share housing or grazing with
other farmers’ stock. Remember field
boundaries and water sources for stock
away from home.
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Secure stock buildings and feed stores
against access by badgers.
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Avoid grazing near badger setts
or latrines. Be aware that intensive
grazing encourages cattle to graze
margins of fields where there is a
greater risk of infection.
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Reduce wildlife access to supplementary
feed (including blocks) at pasture.
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Store manure for six months and/or
do not graze for two months after
spreading.
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Ensure stock transport moving on and
off your farm is clean and disinfected.
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Conduct TB tests promptly and provide
safe and efficient handling facilities.
Isolate any reactors and inconclusive
reactors (IRs).
WINTER 2013/2014
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
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Measures that farmers in the Edge area can consider
to help prevent the spread of TB
Talk to your vet about developing a herd health plan. Many of the measures you
can take against bTB are also useful prevention measures for other diseases.
Badgers eating from a feed chute (photo courtesy of AHVLA)
Good handling facility - double yoke crush