Experts to review new evidence in battle against bovine TB
© Tim Scrivener Bovine TB experts have been tasked to review England’s TB strategy to ensure it makes use of the latest science to move the government’s plan forward.
The team which conducted the 2018 bovine TB strategy review are now looking at evidence and analysis published since then that is relevant to disease control in England to establish if it affects the conclusions made in their previous report.
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The review will consider all the drivers for controlling disease spread as set out in the 2018 report, and advise on gaps in available evidence and disease control tools.
Prof Charles Godfray from Oxford University, who led the initial review, has been tasked with chairing the fresh analysis.
He will be joined by fellow Oxford University professor Bernard Silverman, Prof Glyn Hewinson from Aberystwyth University, Prof Michael Winter from the University of Exeter and Prof James Wood from Cambridge University.
The focus of the review remains on the bovine TB eradication strategy for England only, but lessons from devolved administrations and strategies deployed by other countries may also be considered.
While the panel will not provide policy recommendations, it invites submissions of natural and social science evidence that may not be included in standard literature searches.
Farm minister Daniel Zeichner has previously stressed that the new Labour government is committed to eradicating the disease in cattle herds in England by 2038.
New strategy
Last August, Defra announced it was working on a new strategy to transition from badger culling to the vaccination of both badgers and cattle as part of continuing efforts to eradicate bovine TB in England.
“[Bovine TB] has devastated British farmers and wildlife for far too long. It has placed dreadful hardship and stress on farmers who continue to suffer the loss of valued herds,” a Defra spokesman said.
“The new strategy will mark a significant step-change in our approach to tackling this devastating disease and will also consider a range of further measures, including boosting cattle testing,” the spokesperson added.
NFU president Tom Bradshaw welcomed Defra’s commitment to a robust independent assessment of the latest evidence, but stressed the positive results from work farmers have done must not be forgotten.
This includes the 56% reduction of bovine TB incidents following four years of industry-led culling.
“Future bovine TB policy must be based on sound science and evidence across the board. We urge the panel to progress at pace in their evaluation to maintain commitment to the bTB eradication strategy,” Mr Bradshaw said.
Their findings will be submitted to the Strategy Refresh Steering Group by the end of June 2025.
Interested parties can submit evidence to bTBEngage@defra.gov.uk by the deadline of Friday, 28 February.