This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Consultation on bovine TB strategy
09/02/2004
A strategy to combat the prospect of Bovine Tuberculosis
spreading into Scotland was announced today.
Preparing for a New GB Strategy on Bovine
Tuberculosis is being launched simultaneously in Scotland,
England and Wales.
In Scotland there were 22 confirmed breakdowns in
2003, well below the incidence of TB in England and Wales.
Most of these cases have been traced to infected cattle
brought in from high risk areas.
The consultation offers proposals on:
• reducing the risk of geographical spread of
the disease;
• introducing a legal requirement for pre and
post-movement testing of cattle; and
• adjusting testing frequency.
Under these proposals published for consultation,
farmers importing cattle from areas where Bovine
Tuberculosis is endemic would be expected to pay for pre
and post-movement veterinary checks.
Deputy Rural Development Minister Allan Wilson said:
"We are committed to improving disease control in
Scotland.
"Bovine TB is the main animal health challenge facing
farmers, government, vets and wildlife groups. It is vital
that we have robust precautions in place to try and
identify infection before cattle are brought into Scotland,
identify infected imported cattle as early as possible and
take measures to ensure that any infection is not
transmitted to other animals.
"It is right and fair that animal keepers who choose
to bring cattle from high risk areas should pay for
veterinary tests to reduce the risk of introducing TB to
Scotland. Animal keepers bringing cattle from low risk
areas will pay nothing.
"This consultation maintains the momentum behind our
Animal Health and Welfare Strategy. We have set out the
principles on which a long-term strategy should be based as
well as offering proposals for short term actions and we
would encourage all those with an interest in animal health
and welfare to take part in shaping a sustainable strategy
to control TB."
The consultation document initiates work on
implementing the Animal Health And Welfare Strategy in
relation to bovine TB.
The document sets out the principles on which a new
long term strategy will be based and seeks views on the way
forward. It also sets out proposals for action in the
shorter term to address some of the immediate challenges of
Bovine TB.
Copies of the consultation document are being sent to
interested organisations.
The closing date for comments is 10 May 2004. Responses
will help inform the drawing up of a formal strategy which
will subsequently be subject to further consultation later
this year.