Fundamentals

The skin test has many problems so why is a vaccine not yet being used to control the spread of bovine TB?

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:42:46 +0100

If there is a satisfactory vaccine that offers protection, why should there still be a need to test vaccinated animals?

Scaremongering, over-reaction and inflexible bureaucracy?

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:20:00 +0100

Is the current, rigid implementation of the bovine TB policy by DEFRA and the Welsh Assembly well grounded or is it mainly based on scaremongering by vested interest groups and the meeting of targets by bureaucrats?

How reliable and workable is the existing intradermal tuberculin (skin) test and the ancillary blood test?

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:52:30 +0100

(currently the only approved test under EU regulations)? The current skin test has been used for over 50 years. It is claimed to be the most reliable test for bovine test in live cattle and is believed to control this disease, even eradicating it in some countries. However, more and more skin tested cattle are being identified as reactors and inconclusive reactors in the UK and despite having been used for such a long period in the UK there are still hot spots throughout the country where it is alleged bovine TB is endemic.

Bovine TB - Is A Change of Direction Now Needed?

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:56:41 +0100

The government's primary objectives (Ref. 1), which form the basis of the existing bovine TB (bTB) control/eradication policy, are:

1. To protect public health 2. To prevent bovine TB spreading to other animals 3. To make sure that cattle do not suffer because of bTB

There are many fundamental questions associated with each, plus related questions regarding the current bTB eradication policy, as set out below. If these cannot be adequately answered then the policy is suspect and a radical re-think is needed.

Is the costly and controversial existing bTB policy really about protecting human health and, if not, is there an alternative way forward?

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:59:30 +0000

Is the costly and controversial existing bTB policy really about protecting human health and, if not, is there an alternative way forward? These are the main questions that politicians and those involved with policy making should be asking, particularly in this current era of financial crisis as public expenditure in the UK on bTB control continues to escalate