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From: ...

Originally from: "lina van der wal" <...>
To: <...>
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 10:22 AM
Subject: [farmtalking] Scots investigate TB outbreak

Scots investigate TB outbreak
Source: FWi 22 October 2003

By Shelley Wright, Scotland correspondent

ALMOST 300 cattle will be slaughtered next week on a
farm in Scotland because of an outbreak of bovine
tuberculosis.

The Scottish Executive has confirmed the entire herd
of 296 cattle at Townhead Farm, Dolphinton in South
Lanarkshire will be culled after tests revealed 63 TB
reactors.

According to an executive spokesman, the origin of the
outbreak is still being investigated.

"But early indications are that it may be associated
with animals bought in from high risk areas," he said.

Ross Finnie, rural development minister, said: "Whole
herd slaughter may be unusual but it is not unknown.

"The TB testing regime has proved to be effective in
detecting disease and decisive action taken by my
department is designed to prevent any further spread."

Although Scotland has a number of TB reactors on farms
each year, with almost 100 other positive cases this
year, the whole herd slaughter has been ordered in
this case because the disease is so widespread within
the herd.

The last time an entire herd was slaughtered was in
1996 when 115 cattle on the island of Arran were
culled.

A spokesman for NFU Scotland said the latest outbreak
should act as a reminder to all farmers of the need
for extreme vigilance when buying cattle.

Producers should ensure they have either been tested
for TB prior to arrival or are isolated and tested
immediately on arrival, he said.

The union has also suggested that compulsory
government testing of all cattle imported from England
and Wales into Scotland should be considered.

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