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Preparing for a new GB strategy on bovine tuberculosis

2. The Consultation Process

2.1 Summary of issues on which are looking for your views

2.1.1 Part One: Preparing for a new TB Strategy: a new approach
Establishing a vision ( Paragraph 4.3.9):

QUESTION 1: Bearing in mind we are looking at what we might achieve in terms of bovine TB controls in the next 10 years, do you agree that the most realistic target has to be to contain and progressively reduce spread, incidence and economic costs of the disease and to continue to develop the science base to inform future strategy?

QUESTION 2: In defining what we hope to achieve in terms of bovine TB disease control, to what extent should this be regionally differentiated to reflect the distribution of the disease?

QUESTION 3: How should the interests of wider society, and the principles of sustainability be recognised in a 10 year vision for bovine TB?
Rationale for Government intervention ( Paragraph 4.4.10)

QUESTION 4: Does Government need to intervene in the control of bovine TB? If so, why, and to what extent? If not, why not?
Balancing costs, benefits and risks ( Paragraph 4.5.8)

QUESTION 5: Who in your opinion are the main beneficiaries of current bovine TB controls and how should costs be shared between these beneficiaries?

QUESTION 6: What contribution should the farming industry make to reduce the risks to their herd of bovine TB?
Development of future policies ( Paragraph 4.6.6)

QUESTION 7: Do you agree that, in the light of current evidence, policies should be developed (including badger culling) that seek to control transmission of bovine TB between badgers and cattle?

QUESTION 8: Should we consider introducing, in conjunction with badger control/management, better controls on the disease in cattle using, for example, the gamma interferon test?
Badger management / control ( Paragraph 4.7.13)

QUESTION 9: Under what circumstances would a badger culling or management policy be acceptable?

QUESTION 10: How would any badger management/culling be organised, monitored and evaluated? Who should pay?
What role could vaccines play? ( Paragraph 4.8.5)

QUESTION 11: On the basis of scientific evidence to date, how should Government focus research efforts on vaccines? Wider views on the prospects for vaccination would be welcomed.
Improved diagnostics ( Paragraph 4.9.7)

QUESTION 12: How should the gamma interferon diagnostic test for cattle be used or developed in GB - to reduce the time herds spend under restriction by increasing the number of animals taken as reactors, to deal rapidly with herd breakdowns outside existing TB hotspot areas and/or to distinguish between vaccinated and infected animals?

2.1.2 Part Two: Short term measures
Surveillance Testing ( Paragraph 5.2.16)

QUESTION 13: We have proposed five measures (below) that are aimed to improve our surveillance testing and make the system more transparent. Are these measures appropriate, should any be changed and if so what should the changes be?

The five measures are:

• Adopt the Directive 64/432/EEC method of calculating base herd testing frequencies, and allow local discretion to increase testing.
• Equalise the numbers of herds that are tested each year in 2, 3, and 4 yearly testing parishes.
• Impose movement restrictions immediately routine tuberculin tests become overdue (aligns us with Directive 64/432/EEC).
• To retain our present system for inconclusive reactors, that is to allow up to three tuberculin tests before compulsory slaughter.
• To carry out three check tests at 12 monthly intervals on all new or reformed herds.

Pre and Post Movement Testing ( Paragraphs 5.3.21)

( QUESTION 14) What are your views on our proposal to reduce the risk of spreading TB from high to low incidence areas by requiring pre and post movement testing of all cattle moving from 1-2 year testing herds to other herds ?

( QUESTION 15) What are your views on our advice that farmers should themselves apply post-movement testing in order to minimise the risk of transfer of disease from high to low incidence areas ?

( QUESTION 16) What are your views on the other options we have considered ?

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