New videos from Defra to help reduce TB risks

30 August 2011

Farmers will be able to access advice on reducing the risks of cattle contracting TB from wildlife through a new online video, released today.

Launched as part of the package of measures to tackle the disease, the video gives an introductionto some basic badger ecology and behaviour and uses real life farm situations – explained by cattle farmers – to demonstrate practical measures for reducing bovine TB transmission risks from wildlife. It builds on TB biosecurity advice already available to cattle farmers.

 

The information and advice in the video is drawn from behavioural and observational studies carried out by researchers at the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera), who provide impartial, independent advice to Government and who have been involved in the study of badgers and bovine TB since the 1970s.

Agriculture Minister Jim Paice said:

“Good wildlife biosecurity will help to reduce the risk of cattle getting TB, and this video will help ensure famers have the most up-to-date advice to take simple and effective steps.

“TB is a devastating disease and good biosecurity is part of the comprehensive package of measures we need to get the disease under control and start to eradicate it.”

The training video is jointly funded by Defra, the National Farmers Union (NFU), the Welsh Government and the National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS).

John Griffiths, Welsh Government Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, said:

“Biosecurity is an important aspect of our comprehensive approach to tackling bovine TB. I hope this film will be a useful tool for farmers and provide them with some practical tips for ways they can improve biosecurity on their farms.”

NFU President Peter Kendall said:

“Improving on-farm biosecurity and introducing measures to keep badgers out of farm buildings and feed stores can play a part in reducing the TB risks posed to cattle herds.

“This video shows the industry is working hard to try all measures which could help to limit the spread and impact of this terrible disease.”

The video forms part of the wider TB eradication programme and implements a recommendation made by the Bovine TB Eradication Group for England in their 2009 Progress Report that highlighted the need to provide TB affected farmers with more effective and better focused support and advice.

It will be used by Defra, the Welsh Government, the NFU, the South West TB Farm Advisory Service (SWTBFAS) and National Animal Disease Information Service at training events across the country, and is also available to download through the Defra Youtube account http://uk.youtube.com/user/defrauk.