England 'falling behind on TB control'
"All our evidence suggests that testing cattle more often is the way forward."
A new study suggests England is falling behind the rest of the UK when it comes to TB control, with strategies in Scotland and Wales found to be more successful.
Researchers from the Queen Mary University of London say more frequent testing is required to eradicate the disease, which costs the taxpayer £100 million a year.
The team analysed publicly available data to compare TB incidence and prevalence in regions of England, Scotland and Wales, taking into account the different testing policies.
Scotland - which has been officially TB free since 2009 - has a policy of risk-based surveillance testing, where high risk herds are tested frequently.
In Wales, herds are tested annually, except for those in the intensive action area of south-west Wales, where herds are tested every six months.
In England, however, several herds are tested every four years, except in some high-prevalence areas where annual testing is required.
Professor of ecology, Matthew Evans, said: "It's interesting to note that incidence of tuberculosis in cattle herds is falling [in Wales], whereas in England the incidence is rising. So all our evidence suggests that testing cattle more often is the way forward."
According to the research team, the total number of cattle slaughtered and the number of new herd incidents is decreasing in Wales, Scotland and the west of England, but rising in north and east England.
The number of herds that are not TB-free is increasing in the west, north and east of England, but decreasing in Wales and Scotland.
These latest findings follow a previous study by Queen Mary at the start of the year. Using a computer model, researchers found regular testing could eradicate TB regardless of whether badger culling was carried out.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
