Statement on the setting up of a Bovine TB Eradication Group

Following detailed discussions with Defra and the European Commission, the English Cattle Industry (NFU, NBA, CLA, TFA, RABDF, LAA, AIMS) has agreed with Defra that a new Bovine TB Eradication Group should be formed.

The group will be a joint Defra/Industry group and its remit is set out below. The exact make-up of the group has still to be finalised.

A new England group on eradication of TB in cattle will be set up to make recommendations to the Secretary of State on Bovine TB and its eradication. The membership of the group will include representatives from Defra's Food and Farming Group, Animal Health, the farming industry and the veterinary profession, and it will be convened and facilitated by Defra.

The group may invite other experts to contribute to its work as necessary, including other industry bodies and wider interest groups. It will also draw on the advice of the Commission's TB Task Force, which will be invited to visit Great Britain in early 2009.

The group will review the current TB strategy and control measures and develop a plan for reducing the incidence of Bovine TB from cattle in England and moving towards eventual eradication. It will also assess options to help farmers in high incidence areas maintain viable businesses when under disease restrictions.

A priority output from the work of this group will be a series of measures which can be submitted to the European Commission for approval as part of a formal eradication plan. The group may wish to make recommendations on other issues as they arise, and Defra may also choose to refer specific issues to the group.

The group will look at the options available to address infection in cattle and to reduce the risk of transmission between cattle and between cattle and wildlife, and consider costs and benefits in making recommendations for action.

It will consider options for using vaccination in cattle and badgers. It will also consider any exceptional circumstances or new scientific evidence that might arise relating to the established policy on badger culling for control of TB, recognising that the terms of this policy are currently subject to judicial review.

In carrying out this work, the group will have full access to information on Defra's TB budget and be able to make recommendations on its use within Defra's funding ceilings. 

It will also be able to make recommendations for additional expenditure where these can be supported by a robust business case.

For further information, contact:

Peter Kendall (NFU) – 02476 85 8678

Richard Macdonald (NFU) – 02476 858678

Christopher Thomas-Everad (NBA) – 07970 229526

Bill Harper (NBA) – 07831 099182

Ollie Wilson (CLA Communications Director) – 0207 460 7936

Greg Bliss (TFA National Chairman) – 0118 930 6130

Lyndon Edwards (RABDF Chairman) – 0845 4582711

Chris Dodds (LAA) – 07885 731502

Norman Bagley (AIMS) - 01609 761547

Emeritus Professor Allan Buckwell – Policy Director

Has overall responsibility for the co-ordination and delivery of all policy affecting land use. Ensures that the CLA promotes policies that are distinctive and benefit members. Is responsible for strategic thinking on major land use issues and promoting CLA profile across relevant UK and EU institutions. He chairs the European Landowners Organisation (ELO) Policy Group and co-ordinates CLA relations with ELO.

Phone: 020 7235 0511
FAX: 020 7235 4696
Email allan.buckwell@cla.org.uk