In a recent incident sixty-four animals on a closed dairy herd near Penrith reacted positive to tests for Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB). They have since been slaughtered and tests are underway to determine the cause of the outbreak.

Following discussions with the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratory Agency (AHVLA), the CLA in the North has been assured that the Agency is dealing with the outbreak effectively.

Douglas Chalmers, Director CLA North said: “It is clearly very important that contiguous herds are tested swiftly and accurately, and that any animals that may have left the farm in question are traced. But we can also be helping ourselves, and be checking bio-security arrangements on our own farms. Anyone buying cattle should only be bringing animals from areas where bTB testing is on a three or four year regime.

“However, our bio-security would be far more meaningful and focussed if AHVLA could supply the information which would help assess the nature and source of the threat. The Spoligotyping method employed uses DNA to identify which part of the country the disease comes from. When this information is known, the industry will be able to work together to make sure that this dreadful disease, which causes suffering to wildlife and farm livestock, and emotional and financial distress to farmers, does not gain a hold in the County”.