Defra advice on bovine TB 'futile'
NEW research which demonstrates that cows and badgers mix together while out in the fields much more than previously thought has rendered Government measures to tackle bovine TB "futile", a farming expert has said.
Campaigners have renewed calls for a targeted cull of badgers, which are widely held responsible for the spread of the infection, after a study by the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) and the University of York revealed the two animals frequently have contact in fields.
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It means that advice from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to secure indoor areas where cattle are kept will not help to protect them from the disease.
Researchers believe a more effective method would be to target "high-risk" animals which are more prone to spread infection.
Anthony Gibson, a farming columnist for the Western Morning News, said: "This work shows just how futile it is to try to prevent contact between badgers and cattle in buildings, which is the mantra that Defra preaches to farmers. If cows are frequently having contact with badgers out in the fields, then there's nothing you can do about it."
He said some farmers' efforts to keep badgers out of fields had proved expensive and pointless as they dug their way under fencing. The only solution was to cull infected badgers, he said.
But Defra stressed yesterday that its advice to farmers about bovine TB did not just centre on preventing contact between cattle and badgers in buildings.
A spokesman said the Government website included advice to farmers about the risks they should be aware of at pasture. He added: "It has long been known that there is contact between cattle and badgers at pasture and that it was likely this was frequent.
"However, it has not been easy to record how often this contact occurred (previous studies have been based on observation). We welcome all additions to our evidence base that could inform our understanding of this complex disease."
Bovine TB cost the taxpayer £37 million last year alone, paid out to farmers in compensation for culled cattle.
Previous studies of cattle and badger contact have been carried out through human observation. But, in the latest case, researchers attached electronic monitoring equipment to both cattle and badgers. The devices record close proximity and the number of times the creatures met.
The findings of Dr Mike Hutchings of the SAC's Animal Health Research Group and Dr Piran White of the University of York's environment department are today published in research journal PLoS ONE.
It documents how researchers found that some badgers come into contact with certain cows more regularly than they meet badgers from other setts.
Dr Hutchings said: "The belief that, out in the fields, badgers and cattle avoided each other means we have been neglecting a potentially significant area of disease transmission between the species."
Data also revealed some cattle are more curious than others, making them both more likely to investigate badgers, and then to mingle with other cattle – a potentially fatal combination in the spread of infection.
Dr White said the new information could help improve measures to fight the disease. "Policy is currently against culling so we need ways to reduce disease transmission. This study presents one potential avenue to achieve this, through targeting specific, high-risk animals," he added.
Jilly Greed, vice-chairman of the National Beef Association in the South West, is under restrictions for TB at her family farm in Thorverton, Mid Devon, meaning she cannot sell live cattle.
Signs of TB were found despite the farm following best practice, as laid out by Defra. "It seems all of our good work is a complete waste of time whenever our cows go out to pasture," she said.
"We have even gone to the extremes of erecting electric fencing, and it's massively frustrating to realise you just can't prevent contact between badgers and cows."
She said it had long been known that dominant cows, bulls and tame family pets were more likely to contract the disease, fitting with the scientists' view that curious creatures had more contact.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn yesterday defended his decision not to order a badger cull, saying he understood the frustration in the farming community.
He told the WMN: "I went with the science. We have tried culling – that's what the Krebs trial did. The evidence was clear – if you cull reactively, you make it worse.
"If you go for a pro-active cull, you can benefit in the area where you are culling but create problems on the outside.
"I recognise that it was not a popular decision and that's why I put a considerable additional amount of money into vaccine research."
Six areas are expected to be selected for trials of a badger vaccine.
"I am very keen that we work with the farming industry and others to see what impact it has. TB is a terrible disease. I am determined to do everything we can to deal with it."
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by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, May 04 2009, 1:27PM
“:| Quote:- "I recognise that it was not a popular decision and that's why I put a considerable additional amount of money into vaccine research."
Vaccination is always seen as some panacea for both humans and animals, . well it is not, but particularly with TB. . The BCG is no longer used in the USA. . Note my very first comment.
BCG disease outbreak in Finland in the 2000¿s.
BCG disease is an adverse effect of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine. The vaccine contains living mycobacterium tuberculosis bovis, and in BCG disease, the bacterium causes a diseases in persons vaccinated. Between 2000 and 2006, several hundred children in Finland had serious adverse events from the vaccine, including osteitis and osteomyelitis, disseminated (usually fatal) BCG infection, arthritis, and lymph node abscesses.
In August 2002, the BCG vaccine used in Finland was discontinued by the manufacturer after factory inspectors were dissatisfied with the manufacturing process. Finland switched to a Danish strain BCG vaccine which didn't have marketing authorization in Finland. Despite lack of marketing authorization, the vaccine was offered and recommended to all Finnish newborns (ca. 55 000 - 60 000 per year), and parents were not told the vaccine had no marketing authorization as required by Finnish and European Union legislation. The vaccine was injected into the thigh of newborns, despite clear manufacturer instructions that the vaccine shall be administered into upper arm, and despite manufacturer's warning that injecting into a lower limb is associated with a greater number of adverse effects. . Confirmation source. Wikipedia.
Attenuated (live) vaccines will always be problematic.
Simply waiting for an effective and safe vaccine to be developed is completely foolhardy. . If culling of badgers does not commence very soon, bTB in the wild will get completely beyond control.”
by Justin, Cornwall
Sunday, May 03 2009, 7:36PM
“A vacuum did you say, my old mucker from Somersetshire? There wouldn't be a bag big enough to hold you. Mind you Charles,you are full of HOT AIR!!!!. Best Justin”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Sunday, May 03 2009, 4:55PM
“:| A vacuum is a volume of space that is essentially empty of matter, such that its gaseous pressure is much less than atmospheric pressure. The word comes from the Latin term for "empty," but in reality, no volume of space can ever be perfectly empty. A perfect vacuum with a gaseous pressure of absolute zero is a philosophical concept that is never observed in practice. . Until now that is.”
by Justin, Cornwall
Sunday, May 03 2009, 4:35PM
“I have no sympathy with those who allow badger culling on their land. Culling mad vet's and the Welsh Assembly should be ashamed of themselves. Making a statement like that Charles,proves that you haven't got a care in the world about our wildlife. That's all farmers worry about today,there cash herd of cows. The old traditional ways of working with nature is dead. Greed & intensive farming are the order of the day. Everytime you comment Charles,you expose the bankruptcy of NOT respecting nature & British wildlife.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Sunday, May 03 2009, 4:06PM
“:| Now that scientists and veterinary surgeons at the highest level, have all made it perfectly clear what is necessary to remove the scourge of Mycobacterium bovis from our national cattle herds; it is a great pity that people who have thoughts on the subject that are based on nothing more than a love of wildlife and wishful thinking, don't desist from maligning farmers at every opportunity to further their lost cause.”
by Justin, Cornwall
Sunday, May 03 2009, 3:19PM
“Phil. I remain to be convinced that TB is spread solely by badgers. Cattle spread BTB far MORE than badgers. Some farmers imply that badgers go out of their way to infect herds with BTB,this is just ludicrous. It's farming that has encroached upon the natural wildlife of the land. Their's plenty of farmers who don't take a common sense approach to looking after the welfare of their livestock. If the proper precautionswere taken on farms to prevent the spread BTB by erecting badger proof fencing and lifting cattle feeders off the ground,this would help prevent further spread of BTB. The problem is....some farmers can't be bothered to spend their hard earned cash on carrying out these procedures. The excuses are,two expensive and not effective enough to prevent the spread of BTB. Culling won't work. Your just going to make the spread of BTB worse. When you make a statement like "It has very little to do with science" you corrupt the very hard work that has been invested in showing that badgers are not fully responsible for the spread of BTB. Phil,you may very well be a responsible farmer,but I remain unconvinced by your statements on badgers/BTB.”
by Phil, Exeter, Devon
Sunday, May 03 2009, 12:48AM
“Justin.
The Red deer is another host species!
When the populations are controlled TB is manageable!
Of course, due to the number of "sanctuaries" for Red Deer these days, the disease is spreading out of control in certain areas!
I do not want to see "A countryside devoid of all land animals", any more than you do! But that is precisely what will happen if measures are not taken to stamp out this disease! The transmission of bTB from Badgers to cattle is one thing.....But the Badger population is so out of control in some areas of the UK, numbers need controlling if we do not want to see the species wiped out by disease & starvation!
You say "The farmers "think ¿they know best about what science should be applied"! Well, it has very little to do with science...but everything to do with common sense & practicalities!!!”
by Phil, Exeter, Devon
Sunday, May 03 2009, 12:30AM
“Well pete! You clearly know nothing of me...or the vast majority of farmers either!!
Having trawled through your latest tirade of snide remarks, sarcasm & personal abuse......I find nothing factual!
No change there then!
Whilst I accept there are bad eggs in every proffession....the vast majority of farmers look after their livestock extremely well! The vast majority of farmers also look after the countryside extremely well.
Before you start getting carried away with your silly little personal wars on anyone & everyone that just so happens to disagree with your point, assuming they can actually work out what that point is, I suggest you take a step back!
My family have farmed this farm for well over 60 years (3 generations)!
Through 3 generations of predominantely un-intensive farming we now have a registered county wildlife site on our farm that is of national importance!
We also have un-cropped margins around our arable fields! We also have areas that are planted with a pollen & nectar rich mix of grasses & flowers....to encourage insects, mainly butterfly's & Bumblebees!
Of course...we have achieved all of this by "raping the countryside"
Bumblebee populations have declined sharply over the last few years...Badgers are very, very partial to their nests! Maybe we should fence off all the bumblebee nests???
As for your uneducated comment about "handouts"???
Well, if food production was not subsidised...your weekly food bill would almost certainly double! Ponder on that thought the next time you go to tesco!!
And as for your complete ignorance of the disease's you mention???
BSE was due to contaminated animal feeds....Caused by the lowering of the temperature meat & bone offal was treated at!!
And foot & mouth disease came in to this country vie contaminated dried meat!
Your claim that this is all the fault of farmers is beyond contempt!!!”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Friday, May 01 2009, 8:22PM
“:| Editor, . I now believe because of the intolerable inaction in the face the overwhelming evidence of the part that badgers play in the continual reinfection of the national cattle herd with Mycobacterium bovis; not only do farmers appear to have a Prima facie case against the government and their paid servants for damages, and also exemplary damages; any parent whose child now falls ill or has fallen ill as a result of badgers infecting their play areas, as was thought to be the case in Powys, South Wales in 2005, (and another reason why the Welsh Assembly have given instructions for a cull); will now be able to call for criminal charges to be brought against the government.”
by Justin, Cornwall
Friday, May 01 2009, 6:02PM
“Clutching at straws again Charles. You don't even know Pete. To say that this is about "class war" is a pathetic thing to say. The usual overblown statement from Charles Henry. Pete makes some fine points. At least Pete isn't ignorant and bullish like you Charles.”