The background to these changes is that the main constraint to the eradication of TB, the presence of the disease in badgers, is now being addressed in a very effective manner and, if we want to progress towards eradication, we need to move on to address some of the other constraints such as the movement of high risk animals and animals from high risk herds. For these reasons, the Department is now re-focusing on the 3 fundamental principles of disease eradication, namely Find, Confine and Eradicate to achieve the ultimate goal of eradication of TB in cattle. Accordingly, the Department is paying increased attention to detecting the disease and preventing its spread to other herds. Thus greater stress is being laid on ensuring all herds test on time and on reducing movement opportunities for potentially infected cattle so as to provide increased protection for clear herds and export markets.
These measures are underpinned by research which indicates that movement of animals from the herds in question represents a significant risk to other herd owners who would otherwise buy these animals. For example, Department statistics show that, in 2011, the risk of herds which are contiguous to a high risk breakdown disclosing TB is almost 3 times greater than the risk in the case of herds tested on a round test. In view of the fact that contiguous tests were conducted on some 8,000 herds in 2011, involving almost 800,000 animals and resulting in the disclosure of 2,256 reactors, the risk of TB spreading from herds which are contiguous to high risk breakdowns is very significant.
The position is that, in the case of the changes to the contiguous testing arrangements, herds which are contiguous to a high risk breakdown were already required to undergo an additional testing regime under the previous arrangements. The only change is that, in order to protect clear herds, these herds are now required to pass a test before they are permitted to sell cattle on the open market. The contiguous testing programme will apply only to those herds contiguous to a high risk breakdown (approximately one third of all restrictions) which, after a risk based epidemiological investigation, are considered to be relevant to the breakdown. In view of this, I am satisfied that the new arrangements will ensure that the number of herds which are subject to the contiguous testing programme is kept to the minimum. Furthermore, herds which test clear will be immediately de-restricted and herdowners can minimise any impact on their trading patterns by having their herds tested as soon as possible after notification by the Department.
With regard to herds in which reactors are disclosed, such herds will be restricted in accordance with EU Directive 64/432/EEC. However, these herds are free to sell cattle direct to slaughter. Compensation arrangements are in place to assist farmers whose herds are restricted because of TB. In conclusion, my Department does not accept that these measures will have any significant negative impact on current trading practices. The objective of the measures is to protect herdowners from buying in infected animals and the costs and trade restrictions associated with the disclosure of TB in a herd. Following the introduction of these measures, farmers can now buy cattle with increased confidence that they are free from TB.
