Cattle movement not a major cause of TB

Figures released by Defra illustrate that cattle from Wales which have been tested for TB prior to movement* are not a major factor in spreading TB infection. Of the 16,456 cattle that were pre-movement tested in Wales up to 21 July 2006, just 0.3% turned out to be TB reactors.

Dai Davies, President of NFU Cymru said, "The figures just released by Defra show that the incidence of disease detected in cattle which have been tested prior to movement showed that their potential contribution in terms of the spread of the disease was negligible with bovine TB being detected in only a fraction of one half a percent."

He added, "Given that the cattle tested were from farms in disease hotspots the Government's own figures demonstrated quite unequivocally that the movement of untested cattle was not the main cause of spreading bovine TB and this myth could at last be exploded.

"NFU Cymru has always advocated that a holistic approach should be taken towards eradicating bovine TB. It had long contended that infected badgers were a major factor in the spread of disease and with the elimination of cattle movements as a major source of spread from the equation, the finger continued to be pointed at infected wildlife."

Dai Davies concluded, "I hope that the results of the badgers found dead and the badger population surveys will provide the corroborative evidence so that tangible action may be taken by the Welsh Assembly Government to rid us of this scourge."