January 10, 2023

 

Cows at Bennetts Farms in UK put down due to bovine TB

 

 

Several cows at Bennetts Farms in Worcestershire, England, the United Kingdom, have been put to slaughter after testing positive for bovine tuberculosis (TB).

 

As such, the farm will not be able to sell any of its beef herd for at least the next 120 days. The temporary closure was announced on the farm's Facebook page.

 

"TB is an awful part of dairy farming and tens of thousands of cows are slaughtered every year because of it, and we are adding a few more to those statistics," Bennetts Farms' Facebook post stated.

 

Among the livestock to be culled were a few "good milkers" and a young heifer.

 

According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, bovine TB is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium bovis which is closely related to the bacterium that causes human and avian tuberculosis.

 

All mammalian species, including humans, are susceptible to bovine TB.

 

The outbreak at Bennetts Farm, off Malvern Road, was the first in quite some time.

 

The Facebook post added: "We have been clear for well over a year now, so are absolutely gutted to be shut down again.

 

"As well as the financial loss of losing these lovely cows that have tested positive, we are now unable to sell off any of our beef herd until we have had two clear tests in a row, so that is a minimum of 120 days away.

 

"The financial toll of TB on dairy farmers can be staggering and we are at least for thankful that we are only losing a handful of cows, rather than a significant chunk of our herd."

 

Bennetts Farm has also moved to reassure customers that their milk is unaffected.

 

- Worcester News