Free visits to check TB status of farm animals

The TB Advisory Service (TBAS) is a Defra-funded programme that was launched initially for the high- and edge-risk areas and has now been extended to low-risk areas, where testing usually only takes place every four years. However, in the last few months, a few breakdowns have been registered.

Proactive measures can be set in place to identify, decrease or eliminate the risk of TB on your farm. The reasons for a breakdown are multiple. Visits for eligible farms in England and Wales will provide you with tailored advice from a vet. In order to be eligible, your County Parish Holding (CPH) needs to have cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, camelids or deer.

Bovine Tuberculosis is an infectious disease of cattle and other species that has an insidious, chronic evolution with very few symptoms in the early stages. It is spread by infected animals, farm animals or wildlife in their sputum, milk, urine, faeces and this can lead to contaminated pasture or mineral licks, sheds, feed and water troughs, pathways and equipment.

Spread of Mycobacterium Bovis (M. bovis) can occur in two ways: direct by nose-to-nose contact between cattle or cattle and wildlife or indirect between animals and bacteria in different environments. An adviser can help to minimise the risk of TB infection – a breakdown will not only impact financially on your business but also on your mental health.

What to have in mind when thinking about TB:

• Are your cattle able to come in contact with other animals from other farms? To prevent this, it is recommended that a double fence with a three-meter gap or a double fence with a hedge is created;
• Check the TB area you are buying in from using the IbTB website, which shows mapping of Bovine TB in England and Wales – a useful tool to see the TB breakdowns. Check whether the animals have been pre-movement tested or will be post-movement tested, and also whether they will be kept isolated until testing or mixed straight away.
• Is there any shared equipment, such as tractors, trailers, handling facilities? If so, are they disinfected before and after use?
• Do visitors come by prior appointment and use the farm’s PPE or do they use their own PPE and park their vehicles away from the livestock? Is there a disinfectant point at the farm or shed entrance?
• Are the farmyard and sheds monitored with CCTV to ascertain if wildlife will access the premises?
• Are there measures in place to prevent wildlife having access to the feed and water? For example, check whether the doors are closed overnight, whether there is any wastage left on the floor and that water and feed troughs are raised enough. Does wildlife have access to the silage clamp and is the spacing of the electric fence’s wiring placed in a way that will not allow access?
• How long is the slurry and faeces stored before being spread on the fields. Does it go on arable or grazing fields and, if so, for how long is it left before being grazed?
• Are there badgers setts in the field or latrines that are accessible to cattle? Are there any visible tracks or maybe prints?

TBAS is now delivered by Farmcare Solutions Limited, which includes Westpoint Farm Vets (part of VetPartners). For more information, email admin@tbas.org.uk.