Partnership needed to control bTB
Jonathan Statham, BCVA president, has voiced concerns over the growing incidence of bTB in the UK. The association is calling for the creation of a new partnership between government, industry and the veterinary profession.
"We are not winning the battle against bTB and time is not on our side," says Mr Statham. He cited concerning figures, such as the 5171 new incidents of bTB in 2012, compared to 4901 in 2011. In addition, the 37753 cattle that were compulsorily slaughtered as reactors or direct contacts in 2012, compared to 34247 the previous year.
Further, in a recent press release, the association referred to the current costs of control methods as "unsustainable". It is reported that control of bTB over the last decade has cost the taxpayer £500 million. The cost to control the disease over the next decade is estimated at £1 billion.
Mr Statham says current control methods are not preventing increased incidences of the disease, nor its infiltration into bTB free areas.
In discussing possible solutions to the problem, Mr Statham warned that "bTB will become endemic throughout the UK" if the costs of current control methods are cut without a strategy for the future.
In endemic areas, the presence of bTB within wildlife populations - and particularly badgers - "must be controlled", Mr Statham adds. He believes, however, that improvements to the overall control of the disease through badger vaccinations, would be "too slow", and economically unsustainable.
In a press release, the BCVA suggested the idea of an industry owned, not-for-profit cattle health company (CHCo). It is felt this could allow cost-effective delivery of endemic disease control in cattle. The BCVA envisage a management board for the CHCo, comprising a range of leading farming and veterinary organisations, as well as laboratories and universities.
"It is essential that a critical mass of expertise is maintained in both farming and veterinary sectors," says Mr Statham. "This concept offers an opportunity to achieve both surveillance and disease readiness for exotic or new emerging disease via an empowered veterinary profession in partnership with government and the UK farming industry."
Mr Statham concluded: "We invite all UK administrations to sign up to the concept [of the CHCo], with healthy cattle and wildlife populations being the main aim."
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
