Defra's Christmas presents.

A few months ago Defra held yet another 'consultation' -[link] on the way forward to its ambition of TB free status for England in 25 years time. As usual this included a lot of buck passing cost cutting dressed up as  a 'benefit' for disease control. The phrase 'earned recognition' appeared many times.

 And yesterday Defra's plans were released, pretty much unchanged despite objections. This department does have a nasty habit of lobbing a hand grenade into your in-box on the eve of a holiday and yesterday was no exception. 

So here is our 2017 Christmas blog post:

 On the first day of Christmas, Defra brought to me: another pile of guff for my filing cabinet.

 On the second day of Christmas, Defra brought to me: two herd tests a year and another pile of guff for my filing cabinet.

 On the third day of Christmas, Defra brought to me: a 90 day SI test interval, two herd tests per year and another pile of guff for my filing cabinet.

 On the fourth day of Christmas, Defra brought to me: reduced cash if reactors are presented dirty, a 90 day SI test interval, two herd tests per year and another pile of guff for my filing cabinet.

On the fifth day of Christmas, Defra brought to me: more TB advice on biosecurity, reduced cash if reactors are dirty, a 90 day SI test interval, two herd tests a year and another pile of guff for my filing cabinet.

 On the sixth day of Christmas, Defra brought to me: a new compensation table for pigs, sheep, deer and camelids, more TB advice on biosecurity, reduced cash if reactors are dirty, a 90 day SI test interval, two herd tests a year and another pile of guff for my filing cabinet.

 On the seventh day of Christmas, Defra brought to me: grants to vaccinate badgers, a new compensation table for pigs, sheep, deer and camelids, more TB advice on biosecurity, reduced cash if reactors are dirty, a 90 day SI test interval, two herd tests a year and another pile of guff for my filing cabinet.

 On the eight day of Christmas, Defra brought to me: delayed slaughter for pregnant cattle, grants to vaccinate badgers, a new compensation table for pigs, sheep, deer and camelids, more TB advice on biosecurity, reduced cash if reactors are dirty, a 90 day SI test interval, two herd tests a year and another pile of guff for my filing cabinet.

 On the ninth day of Christmas, Defra brought to me: no live movement of  Inconclusive reactors, delayed slaughter for pregnant cattle, grants to vaccinate badgers, a new compensation table for pigs, sheep, deer and camelids, more TB advice on biosecurity, reduced cash if reactors are dirty, a 90 day SI test interval, two herd tests a year and another pile of guff for my filing cabinet.

 On the tenth day of Christmas, Defra brought to me: more gamma testing, no live movement of Inconclusive reactors, delayed slaughter for pregnant cattle, grants to vaccinate badgers, a new compensation table for pigs, sheep, deer and camelids, more TB advice on biosecurity, reduced cash if reactors are dirty, a 90 day SI test interval, two herd tests a year and another pile of guff for my filing cabinet.

 On the eleventh day of Christmas, Defra brought to me: extra testing for certain types of enterprises, which they pay for, more gamma testing, no live movement of  Inconclusive reactors, delayed slaughter for pregnant cattle, grants to vaccinate badgers, a new compensation table for pigs, sheep, deer and camelids, more TB advice on biosecurity, reduced cash if reactors are dirty, a 90 day SI test interval, two herd tests a year and another pile of guff for my filing cabinet.

 On the twelfth day of Christmas, Defra brought to me: employment opportunities for private vets, extra testing for certain types of enterprises, which they pay for, more gamma testing, no live movement of  Inconclusive reactors, delayed slaughter for pregnant cattle, grants to vaccinate badgers, a new compensation table for pigs, sheep, deer and camelids, more TB advice on biosecurity, reduced cash if reactors are dirty, a 90 day SI test interval, two herd tests a year and another pile of guff for my filing cabinet.

 It's all, and more, in this pdf - [link]

The thought to hang on to here, is the answer to our PQ way back in the mists of 2004, when we asked why the Thornbury badger clearance had been so successful. Following that there combined with test / slaughter of any reactors, were no cases of TB in cattle for the following decade or more. 

The answer was unequivocal. And all of the above, just so much guff. A sop to the Treasury and Brian May's groupie's but completely unnecessary.

" The fundamental difference between the Thornbury area and other areas [] where bovine tuberculosis was a problem, was the systematic removal of badgers from the Thornbury area. No other species was similarly removed. No other contemporaneous change was identified that could have accounted for the reduction in TB incidence within the area" [157949]

A very happy Christmas to all our readers, farmers and vets.

Singing from the same hymn sheet

It seemed a simple enough question. But drew a raft of answers, many totally incorrect, from people who should know the answer.

 After cattle have tested clear, and providing that the herd is not under restriction for TB, then in many areas of England, farmers have just 60 days in which to trade them. But when does the clock start ticking?

 One of our contributors had occasion to ascertain this date recently. And he received some surprising answers.

 From an NFU spokeman, '60 days from reading day' : so 60 days after the test is read?

This marked a change from past practise, so our contributor then phoned the newly hatched TB Advisory service - [link] and was given the same answer by telephone. 60 days from the reading of the test.

Not content with this answer either, the facts were requested in writing, and an APHA booklet -[link] appeared in his in-box. Page 5 is the relevant information to answer the question, and it states:

 "Pre movement tests are valid for 60 days (from the date of the injection, which is day zero of the 60 day period)".

So the 60 days starts from jab day, but begins the day after the tuberculin antigen is given?

 Not according the blumph on the TB Hub - [link] advisory service website. This states:

 "Clear pre-movement test results are valid for 60 days from the date of injection (day one of the test)".

Being charitable that 'day one' mention may be construed as the first part of a two part test. But it may also be construed as the day the 60 day movement window begins. It's a fudge.


 Farmers' BPS payments depend upon having clear knowledge of their responsibilities for testing of cattle and following these to the letter, with threats of substantial deductions for non-compliance.
So, it is a damned disgrace disappointing that the verbal information sought was so very wrong, and two NFU or Government backed websites contradictory.

It would be helpful if all these advisers were singing from the same hymn sheet, but the paucity of correct information on this very basic question, indicates the people offering it are not even in the same choir.