TB-Free Status For Scotland: Vets Urge Continued Vigilance

Main Category: Veterinary
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 10 Sep 2009 - 6:00 PDT

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The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) noted Europe's decision to recognise Scotland as Officially Tuberculosis Free (OTF) and warned that Scotland could still be exposed to an increasing risk of disease unless it implemented the most stringent of disease controls.

Scotland's OTF status was endorsed unanimously by the European Commission's Standing Committee for Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) on Tuesday (8 September), following an application by the Scottish Government last month. New measures will be introduced over several months, including additional bovine TB testing for cattle sourced from England and Wales.

Commenting on the announcement, BVA President Nicky Paull said: "While the decision highlights Scotland's success in keeping its herds free from disease, particularly when measured against increased incidence in many parts of England and Wales, the devil will be in the detail of how the measures will work. Close attention must now be paid to the design and implementation of the new rules to ensure that they minimise the risk of bovine TB returning.

"Vets must be involved in the design and implementation of the new rules as they are best placed to advise farmers in Scotland on biosecurity and ensuring sustainable herd health," she stressed.

The BVA and BCVA warned that livestock owners across the UK must continue to be aware of the risks of buying in any disease, including bovine TB, and continue to assess disease risks when bringing animals from any location onto their holding.

Carl Padgett, Senior Vice President of BCVA, added: "This is a tremendous achievement for Scotland and is a result of the excellent relationship the Scottish Government and the Scottish farming industry. Bovine TB doesn't recognise devolved administration boundaries however, and much will depend upon the final rules to be agreed between Scottish Government and the rest of the UK which are to be mutually developed. The need for Scottish farmers to source cattle for rearing and finishing units has the perverse potential to increase bovine TB risk for Scotland by increasing the numbers of animals bought from higher risk areas that are already subject to pre-movement testing; the rules must mitigate this risk. Farms straddling the Scottish/English border will also need to be carefully considered."

Source
British Veterinary Association