Select Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence


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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