There was a slight drop in bovine TB incidence, new herd incidents and the number of cattle slaughtered under bTB control measures in the first half of 2014, compared to the previous year.

Statistics released on Wednesday by APHA (formerly AHVLA) show that the number of new cases and incidence rates both dropped in the first six months of this year, compared to 2013 figures.

The figures, published by Defra, show:

• The provisional incidence rate from January to July 2014 was 3.8 percent, compared to 4.3% for the same period in 2013
• There were 2,720 new herd incidents between January and July, compared to 2,813 over the same period in 2013.
• The number of tests on officially TB free herds was 47,349, compared to 43,300 between January and July 2013.
• The number of cattle compulsorily slaughtered as reactors or direct contacts was 19,383 up until July 2014, compared to 19,988 in the same period in 2013.

Defra advised that "Short term changes in these statistics should be considered in the context of long term trends" and repeatedly stated that the figures from 2012 onwards are provisional and "will be subject to further revision."

The long term trend – illustrated by graphs published alongside the statistical release – appears to show herd incidents and bTB incidence dropping off gradually since mid-2011, though the environment department maintains that "There has been an overall long-term upward trend in the incidence of TB in cattle herds in GB since the beginning of the time series [1996] presented in this statistical release although the incidence rate is lower now than it was at its peak in 2008."

The department also released revised statistics, detailing revisions of published TB figures as part of its "quality assurance" review work being carried out since January, when it was revealed that a computer glitch at AHVLA had led to Defra overstating bTB figures in reports since 2011.  

In May 2014, the last month for which data is available, figures show that the number of herds rated as not-officially TB Free (Non-OTF) was reduced from 4,578 to 4,266. Defra said "Further revisions [were] made following these additional checks made by AHVLA local offices."

Badger culls in Somerset and Gloucestershire, which form an acutely controversial part of Defra's bTB control strategy, resumed in September and should be entering their final week this week.