APPENDIX 19
Memorandum submitted by John Sumner, Policy
Adviser, Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (P19)
Press notice No. 10, session 2002-03 dated 17
January 2003 invited written submissions prior to the Committee's
review of recent developments. In a telephone call to your office
I expressed concern over the relatively short notice given for
submissions on this issue which is an extremely serious one for
dairy farmers. I briefly describe below a number of points which
the Committee may wish to take notice of in their deliberations:
INCIDENCE
The increasing number of incidents, and the
rapid spread across the country, is causing considerable alarm
amongst dairy farmers. In those areas affected by foot and mouth
disease (FMD), re-stocking of dairy farms has not controlled the
spread of TB. There is a noteworthy development in relation to
the incidence of disease. Until relatively recent years, the disease
was limited to certain areas of the country, particularly the
southwest. Now outbreaks of TB in cattle are springing up in most
parts of the country, making it a national issue. Cattle have
been moved around the country throughout this period without any
clear evidence of cattle to cattle transmission has been the cause
of disease spread. The role of the badger in this development
cannot easily be discounted.
TESTING
It is recognised that FMD has resulted in a
backlog of herds to be tested. Furthermore as the disease spreads
across the country the testing programme becomes confused in that
adjacent counties can have different testing intervals. In such
cases, good communication by government officials and local farmers
is vital and in some areas, requires improvement.
ANIMAL MOVEMENTS
The controlled relaxation of cattle movements
has helped to allow businesses in many areas a measure of freedom
to operate more effectively. Whilst that has been important in
these very difficult financial times, it is recognised that there
may be an implication for disease spread. However, we urge that
the relaxation within controls be allowed to continue. On farms
where severe movement restrictions applied, overcrowding of stocksheds
became a serious issue with consequences for animal welfare and
in particular increasing the risk of the spread of other diseases
within such herds.
The existence of TB in herds with the consequential
restrictions does have a seriously negative impact on businesses
and limits new initiatives and opportunities. In those areas with
a high incidence of disease, and where it appears that little
is being done to remove the likely sources, farmers currently
unaffected believe it is "only a matter of time" before
their herds also become infected.
KREBS TRIAL
The Government's opposition to any form of selective
cull of badgers in those areas where TB is rife is a matter of
great concern. To await all the results of the Krebs trial due
in 2004 is, in the Associations view, questionable bearing in
mind the current rate of disease spread. By the time action is
taken, the number of infected herds is likely to be far greater
than now and the cost of dealing with the national problem will
have increased substantially.
RABDF is very aware of public concern over the
need to protect badgers and the emotional outcry that would accompany
any partial culling programme but urges the Committee to consider
the overall national priority.
The Select Committee is no doubt aware of the
reports from certain areas of the country where "animal rights"
groups are allegedly interfering with the trials. If such reports
are accurate, trial results will at best be delayed and at worst
misleading.
For most in the farming industry, the evidence
implicating the role of badger in the spread of TB is well made.
The Government's current course of action is unsatisfactory and
likely to lead to financial and personal disaster for many farmers
around the country.
VACCINATION
It appears to be generally accepted that availability
of an effective vaccine is 10-15 years away although some pharmaceutical
companies would argue that a shorter time scale is achievable.
Government is urged to increase the investment to develop an effective
vaccine with the utmost speed.
The industry cannot however "tread water"
until vaccination becomes possible and the Government is again
urged to take actions now. It is not acceptable to have information
available as exists in the case of the badger and TB in cattle,
and not to act upon it.
The Committee is encouraged to review the Irish
trial, which has involved selective badger culling and inoculation
with promising results.
Veterinary surgeons in large animal practices
have noted a potential relationship between the cattle disease
BVD and the presence of TB. The BVD virus, an aids-type virus,
is fairly common in dairy herds with the effect of depressing
the immune system of affected animals. Relatively effective vaccines
are available but many herds have an underlying level of infection.
Anecdotal observations have associated an increased incidence
of TB in BVD affected dairy herds. The Select Committee may consider
raising the matter with DEFRA's Animal Health Group with a view
to investigating the BVD status of dairy herds in TB areas.
SUMMARY
These few points hopefully indicate, albeit
briefly, the very serious concerns of dairy farmers and the belief
that the problem will get far worse before Government take additional
actions. The disease of TB in cattle could be eradicated if Government
saw fit to provide the necessary finance and support as, for example,
it did with BSE. Eradication of TB in both cattle and badgers
should be the goal.
31 January 2003
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