Farmers need 'further roll-out' of the pilot badger culls in high risk areas to combat bovine TB, according to NFU President Meurig Raymond.
“Farmers throughout the country have supported the strategy but are becoming frustrated at the lack of action surrounding the introduction of its various elements," he said.
"The farming industry needs to see more urgency in the implementation of the whole strategy and better communication of its measures and aims. Now is the time to build on the determination of the farming industry to eradicate this disease which is destroying farming businesses and families."
"Farmers are committed to playing their part in this but need to see that commitment reciprocated by the government."
He said more targeted measures were needed to stop the spread in the edge area (between the high and low risk areas) and better information on the local infection rate in wildlife.
In May, a large group of industry stakeholders met to agree the principles on how the government should tackle cattle diseases.
The meeting involved the British Cattle Veterinary Association, British Veterinary Association, Country Land and Business Association, Farmers For Action, Livestock Auctioneers’ Association, National Beef Association, NFU, Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers and Tenant Farmers Association.
They agreed three main strands are:
· Key farming and veterinary bodies support the comprehensive 25-year bovine TB eradication strategy published in April 2014. These organisations want to see the creation of a TB Eradication Board for England - comprising suitably qualified representatives from the farming industry, the veterinary profession and government - charged with strategic leadership, communication, technical capability and oversight of delivery, reporting directly to the Defra Secretary of State.
· A nationwide TB Advisory Service as part of the Rural Development Programme, giving advice and training to farmers on how to deal with the consequences of the disease or help them remain disease free.
· The creation of an industry-led non-government body - Animal Health England - with the mission of improving the cattle health status of the country by tackling non-statutory diseases, such as bovine viral diarrhea, Johne’s disease and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis.
