Farmers to receive bespoke TB advice
Farmers will have the option of receiving a farm visit from a vet.
Cattle farmers within licensed badger cull areas will be offered bespoke veterinary advice on how to reduce the risk of bovine TB on their farms, Defra has announced.
Over the next two years, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) will offer the service to all farmers within the cull areas as part of a comprehensive strategy to beat the disease in England.
Defra say that the service will help farmers to strengthen their TB prevention measures to the highest practical levels, complementing other measures in place within Somerset and Gloucestershire, such as the badger cull license, annual TB testing, and the existing cattle movement controls.
Farming minister George Eustice said: "This new service is part of our comprehensive strategy to beat bovine TB and will provide farmers with expert advice on how they can reduce the risk of the disease affecting their farm."
A summary of the local levels of TB this month will be sent to cattle keepers within the cull areas, with a description of known causes and risk factors.
APHA will provide farmers with customised reports for each of their holdings, showing the number of incidents of TB recorded over the last five years, the cattle movement history and other risk-related information.
Farmers will also have the option of receiving a farm visit from a vet, who will discuss the report and provide bespoke advice and guidance on preventing TB.
HMRC has invited feedback to its communications regarding the employment status of locum vets and vet nurses.
