Published by East Anglian Farm Advertiser, June 2010.

Vet warns stockmen about TB Complacency

Livestock farmers in East Anglia have to start taking TB seriously if they are to avoid the problems that face the sector in other parts of the country.

That was the message from Ely-based vet David Scott when he addressed the inaugral meeting of the Pymoor Stockman’s Club last month. Mr Scott, from the Isle Veterinary Group’s large animal practice, said that TB hotspots were already beginning to emerge in Norfolk and Suffolk.

“The problem has been carried in by cattle bought from the Westcountry, Midlands and even Ireland,” he said.

While the relatively spread-out nature of livestock farming in East Anglia meant that the problem was unlikely to spread from farm to farm through direct contact between cattle, Mr Scott suggested there was a real danger of the disease being spread by wildlife, and by badgers in particular.

“There is a very big population of badgers in East Anglia now, and the fact that they are increasingly being seen during daylight hours suggests population pressures that will lead to them spreading out across the region,” he said.

“TB getting established in the badger population is a big anxiety.”

Mr Scott said the most important thing livestock producers could do was to be careful when buying stock from outside the region.

“You can get the stock tested for TB before you buy them, and you can also test them once they’re on your farm, although that can be more difficult to arrange and the results have to be reported to Defra,” he said.

“Another option I’d recommend is to try and keep bought-in stock in a different location until you’re sure of their TB status. That’s easier to do in East Anglia with its sparse livestock populations, and it means you won’t be hit by TB restrictions in your main herd if you get a reactor.”

There were also steps you could take if you were concerned about infection being passed on by the badger population.

“Evidence is growing that most cross infection from badgers to cattle occurs during the winter months via feed troughs in livestock housing,” Mr Scott said.

“Using wire netting to badger-proof buildings is a good first step, but if that’s impossible keep the troughs at least 3ft off the ground and go for a trough profile that makes it impossible for the badger to climb in.”