Farmers prefer mandatory cattle TB vaccination, study finds

A mandatory, government-led approach paid for by the Treasury is the preferred option among farmers for cattle TB vaccination, according to new research.

The findings of the Defra-commissioned study (pdf), published in Veterinary Record, reveal that farmers do not want a repeat of the farmer-led, collective approach which has been used to deliver badger culling across England.

Three scenarios representing possible policies for the deployment of the CattleBCG vaccination were developed: government-led, individual (voluntary) and a farmer-led, collective approach. Vaccine efficacy was set at 85% for all three scenarios.

See also: Bovine TB cattle vaccine field trials move to next phase

Researchers explored the attitudes towards all three scenarios in five farmer workshops involving 82 farmers across England and Wales, and also with 35 industry stakeholders.

Making TB vaccination of cattle mandatory was chosen as the best option, as it was thought a voluntary approach might not result in sufficient take-up. The collective approach was the least popular of the three options.

Asking farmers to pay for vaccination was also not popular. However, in general there was support for a low-cost vaccine – such as £6 per dose – provided that vaccinating was voluntary.

Trust in those delivering the vaccination and in the efficacy of the vaccine itself was “crucial”. Private vets were seen as most trusted to administer the vaccines, the study found.

Farmers also said they needed to trust the associated detecting infected among vaccinated animals (Diva) diagnostic test. Any potential implications for trade of cattle must also be addressed, they added.

No ‘silver bullet’

But farmers stressed that cattle vaccination should not be seen as a “silver bullet” and wildlife control would still be needed to eradicate the disease.

The research team included Kingshay farm vet Sarah Tomlinson, a member of Defra’s bovine TB partnership board.

She said: “This research is an opportunity for Defra to understand farmers’ views on cattle vaccination so they can work out what the barriers are and how to overcome them.

“For example, farmers do not want farmer-led vaccination companies. Most importantly, farmers have got to trust the policy and ensure the science and evidence they have to deliver it is thoroughly tested.”

Defra aims to have a deployable CattleBCG vaccine and Diva test available for commercial use from 2025.