Independent body to examine bovine TB

A new body has been created to investigate the national bovine TB issue.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has formed the Bovine TB Science Advisory Body to provide it with independent advice and research.

Defra has claimed the creation of the body shows the government’s ongoing commitment to controlling bovine TB in this country.

In 2005, the government announced it was to take new action to control the spread of TB, including testing cattle before allowing them to be moved and conducting a consultation on the culling of badgers.

Last year, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) called for the government to take urgent action against bovine TB, citing official figures which showed a 22 per cent increase, year on year, in the disease.

NFU deputy president Meurig Raymond said the organisation is ready to play its part in culling badgers in “TB hotspot areas”.