TB control measures stepped up in NI

New cattle-based measures to tackle bovine TB in Northern Ireland have been announced by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). The measures will start to take effect in the coming weeks. They follow a recent increase in disease incidence and are intended to strengthen DAERA’s bovine TB eradication programme. These are: Further use of the severe interpretation of skin tests in breakdown herds. Introduction of a further herd test for recently derestricted breakdown herds that are considered higher risk. A quality assurance pilot trial to establish baseline data on bovine TB skin test reactors. The introduction of a bovine TB biosecurity self-assessment checklist. A reduction in the number of reactors with no visible lesions in a herd from six to two before Officially TB-Free status is withdrawn. DAERA has also announced plans to survey badgers for infection with bovine TB...
Source: Veterinary Record - Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research