Vets Welcome TB Eradication Group For England Progress Report

Vets have welcomed the publication of the progress report for the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Group for England (TBEG). The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) are pleased at the consensus arrived at by TBEG (made up of representatives from Defra’s Food and Farming Group, Animal Health, the farming industry and the veterinary profession), which recognises the limitations of the measures available to the Group. Commenting, Professor Bill Reilly, President of the BVA, said: “Bearing in mind the political and time constraints that TBEG is working under, we welcome the progress the Group is making. “In particular, we welcome the recognition that there has to be a package of controls available and that no single measure can eradicate bovine tuberculosis. The BVA and BCVA have stated clearly that a targeted badger cull may be necessary in certain circumstances and we are pleased that it has not been ruled out of a future eradication programme for England.” John Blackwell, President of BCVA, added: “There are a lot of positives in this report and the work of TBEG in implementing measures to support farmers dealing with bovine TB in their herds is welcomed by the BCVA. “However, we still believe that more can be done in England and we urge the Secretary of State to reassess his criteria for introducing a badger cull.”

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