TB-infected cattle slaughtered in England down by 24 per cent.

Government statistics have revealed that the number of cattle slaughtered due to a TB incident in England is at its lowest level since 2008. There were 20,228 cattle slaughtered from April 2022 to March 2023, down from 26,448 in the previous year, which equates to a 24 per cent decrease year-on-year.

Wales saw a five per cent reduction in the number of TB-infected cattle slaughtered with a total of 9,585 animals slaughtered in the period from April 2022 to March 2023. This is down from 10,116 in the previous year.

In contrast, Scotland has seen a 43 per cent increase in the number of TB-infected cattle slaughtered with a total of 766 animals slaughtered from April 2022 to March 2023. This can mainly be attributed to a movement of infected cattle in Ayrshire which resulted in several breakdowns.

Scotland has been Officially Tuberculosis Free (OTF) since 2009. The country has maintained a low and stable incidence of TB since then, and according to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), maintaining that status is a priority.

The number of new TB herd incidents in England from April 2022 to March 2023 was 2,712. This was a decrease from 2,903 in the previous year and equates to a seven per cent decline.

In Wales there was a two per cent decline in new herd incidents year-on-year, falling to 620 in the period from April 2022 to March 2023, from 635 in the previous year. Scotland saw the total number of incidents increase to 38 in the period from April 2022 to March 2023, compared to 25 in the previous year. A rise of 52 per cent.

The total number of Non-OTF herds at the end of the period from April 2022 to March 2023 was 1,991 in England (16 per cent down), 618 in Wales (unchanged) and 35 in Scotland (84 per cent up).

Bovine TB is monitored to measure the progress towards Defra’s policy to achieve OTF status for England by 2038, and Welsh government’s policy to achieve OTF status between 2036 and 2041. The statistics also help to support the annual case for Scotland to retain its OTF status. 

Sarah Tomlinson, BCVA board member and technical director for the TB Advisory Service, said: “The 25-year TB eradication policy is working. And these latest figures demonstrate that. It may not be perfect, but we are seeing results – and for the first time in my career TB is declining. As cattle vets when we see these reductions we see the positive impact this has on our farm clients – in both emotional and financial terms – as well as the effect it has on herd health and welfare. 

“My local area of Derbyshire is now seeing the number of new breakdowns sharply declining. This is through a combination of imperfect ‘tools’ – not one in isolation. BCVA and the farm vet profession fully recognises that bTB control and eradication will always be one of the biggest challenges we face. However, there is much to feel optimistic about and we are determined to help drive a concerted and concentrated effort by all sectors to reduce the impact of this devastating disease.”

BVA president Malcolm Morley said: “Farmers, vets and the Government have made enormous efforts over the years to control bovine TB, so these latest data showing a decline in the number of cattle slaughtered as a result of infection is positive news. However, there’s still a lot more to be done to control this devastating disease. It is critical that the government continues to encourage a holistic, evidence-based approach that utilises all the available tools in the toolbox, including empowering vets and farmers to make effective decisions by providing better data access and communication; rewarding good biosecurity; and funding research in priority areas like cattle and badger vaccination.”