Government must take control of Bovine TB shambles - Keetch

1.24.18pm GMT Mon 6th Mar 2006

Speaking following the NFUs annual conference, Paul Keetch MP for Hereford today demanded the Government take tough action to tackle Bovine TB.

Mr Keetch commented "Following the launch of the Krebs Review, farmers waited eagerly for government action on the growing Bovine TB crisis. However the latest figures show that cases are still on the increase.

"I welcome the move by DEFRA to make Pre-Movement Testing of cattle compulsory, but this cannot be seen as a stand alone measure. The government needs to ensure that pre-testing is administratively workable and enables farmers to continue to achieve a fair price for their cattle within the context of an open auction. However, the Government must ensure that there are enough vets, if it is to expect farmers to foot the bill for Pre-Movement Testing.

"This measure must also go hand in hand with a short focussed programme of badger control. However, it is imperative that the removal of badgers from TB hotspots is carried out in an organised and humane manner rather than the Government giving anyone a licence to kill. If this process is carried out correctly then the eradication of TB in our countryside will benefit everyone."

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

The Liberal Democrats want to see Pre-Movement Testing of cattle for TB together with the controlled removal of badgers from Tuberculosis hotspots and urgent research in to a vaccination for both cattle and badgers.

There were a record 24,993 cases of the disease between January and October last year and the Government is now facing mounting criticism from veterinary groups and farmers.

Successive Conservative and Labour government strategies to tackle Bovine TB have failed to prioritise funding for research in to a vaccination. Out of a total £73M spent on Bovine TB in 2002/3 Just £13M went in to research, with £31M going on farmer compensation and £29M on TB testing and veterinary service costs.

The incidence of TB in cattle monthly notice from DEFRA can be found at: http://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/statnot/tbpn.pdf and shows the latest statistics on TB in cattle to the end of October 2005