National TB Conference: a collaborative approach towards a TB-free future
Abstract
Bovine tuberculosis is a devastating disease because of the massive impacts it has on the farm business and the knock-on effects on animal and farmer health and welfare. The National TB Conference was held to champion what has been achieved by working together as part of the bovine tuberculosis eradication strategy and to start the conversation on what is needed from all stakeholders to achieve a bTB-free status in England and Wales.
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is the most devastating disease impacting British cattle herds today. Not because of the direct animal health and welfare impacts – the majority of reactors are otherwise fit and heathy animals – but because of the massive impacts a breakdown has on the farm business and the knock-on effects on animal and farmer health and welfare. bTB also massively impacts the ability of farmers to engage positively in the things that matter to them, such as improving health and welfare, and reaching net zero.
Having been a practicing farm vet for over 20 years in the same area of Derbyshire, I absolutely understand the pain and heartbreak that TB brings and the unimaginable impact TB has on farm businesses and most importantly for me, the farmer, their families and the local community. Equally, I can see the difficult job that the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have in trying to control this infectious disease, as ultimately its control is dictated by legislation and the government.
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