TB Measures November 14, 2013 12:00 am Risk-based Trading A new risk-based trading initiative has been launched to help farmers protect their herd from bovine TB. Auction marts across the country will be collecting and displaying information from sellers about their cattle to inform buyers of their TB status. The information will include: date of last pre-movement test date of last routine test date when last declared officially TB free (if applicable) Most auctions already display which TB risk area cattle come from. The aim is to eventually have this information automatically available via a central database. Cull Analysis The extended cull in Somerset saw a further 90 badgers culled. This brings the total up to 65% of the estimated population, but still falling short of the 70% target. Independent experts will now analyse the effectiveness, humaneness and the safety of the culls. The results of which will feed into the decision process as to whether to roll out the pilot culls to up to 10 more areas across England next year. The findings will be presented to Parliament. However, the Farm Minister, George Eustice, has stated this month the the government is ‘minded’ to continue with further culls next year. One of the areas is almost certainly to be in Dorset, as this was the reserve area for the two culls this year.
