October 14, 2005

Scotland implements new testing measures for bovine TB
 

Scotland has implemented new testing measures for bovine tuberculosis, or TB, according to National Farmers Union Scotland.

NFU Scotland said between 10,000 and 20,000 cattle a year could be affected by the new measures.

Scottish authorities recently passed laws requiring all cattle over six weeks of age to be tested for TB before and after they were transported, if they were entering Scotland from high incidence areas in England and Wales.

While NFU Scotland supported the new regime, it also called on local producers to be very strict in checking the origin and TB test status of any cattle bought from England and Wales. This was to avoid possible herd restrictions and unnecessary testing costs.

Any Scottish farm found to have omitted the pre-movement test on moved cattle would have its entire herd restricted immediately, until the cattle tested negative of the disease.

However, cattle entering Scotland from high incidence areas for a show would be exempt from pre-movement testing as long as they returned straight to the farm of origin after the event.

Incidents of bovine TB in Scotland have remained low compared with England and Wales. 42 of the previous 50 outbreaks of bovine TB in Scotland have been traced back to cattle brought in from high incidence areas in England and Wales, according to Scottish Executive.