Farmers are being called upon to give their opinions on new proposals to help eradicate bovine tuberculosis (bTB).
The RSPCA is offering farmers the opportunity to have their say on new management measures aimed at eradicating the disease.
In their report: 'It’s not all black and white: Managing bTB: an evidence-based approach', a number of new approaches are suggested towards tackling the devastating disease, providing details of the thinking and science behind the consultation.
Adam Grogan, the RSPCA’s head of wildlife said: “Current bTB eradication measures aren’t working. The proposals in our consultation are supported by the evidence set out in our new report, providing fresh evidence-based solutions to the problem of bTB. "We are consulting because we want to give farmers and vets the chance to have their say on our proposals which include approaches designed to effectively tackle this disease.
“We’d welcome farmers’ and vets’ feedback on our proposals.”
READ MORE: Badger cull expanded throughout south west in effort to tackle bovine TB
Data indicates that current approaches are failing to bring this devastating and widespread disease under control, let alone eradicate it, and the RSPCA feels that a completely new approach that is evidence-based, sustainable and humane is urgently needed.
Emily Coughlan, vet and RSPCA ruminant expert said: “Bovine tuberculosis and the measures that are currently being used to tackle it are having serious emotional and financial impacts on farmers, their families and their communities as well as causing suffering and death to huge numbers of cattle and badgers.
“The consultation is the result of new thinking based on robust science and conversations with a number of farmers and vets working at the frontline of bTB control. However we want many more farmers to have their say. Our proposals to address bTB puts every farmer at the centre of their own tailored management programme, whereas up until now, the only option being offered to farming communities is to kill badgers.”
The RSPCA’s new proposals include:
• The formation of bTB control co-operatives
• Strengthening biosecurity, bio-containment and cow resilience
• Funding of control measures
• Strengthening and supporting the role of vets
• Improving the approach to and accuracy of bTB testing
• Ensuring evidence-based communication and advice
• Moving to badger vaccination
Emily added: “Everyone wants the same outcome ultimately - the eradication of bTB in farmed and wild animals.
"As the community that bears the brunt of bTB, we’d urge farmers to have their say in our consultation and help bring about an end to this terrible disease.”
The RSPCA’s consultation runs for six weeks until November 1 2019.
READ MORE: Devon farmer fights slaughter of TB inconclusive cow due today and says compensation is inadequate
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