Madam,

I refer to the article: ‘Devastating toll of rise in cattle slaughtering’, published in the Cambrian News on 8 January. With regards the disease picture articulated in the online article relating to bovine TB in Ceredigion, I feel it would be useful to clarify the current situation more clearly.

Firstly, there was an increase in animals slaughtered last year in Ceredigion, however, similar fluctuations in numbers (both up and down) are not unusual in a historical context. The increase in animals slaughtered does not necessarily reflect a worsening disease situation, indeed the number of new incidents of bovine TB in Ceredigion fell by 3 per cent over the same period. The increase in animals slaughtered is a consequence of a ratcheting up of a number of measures designed to increase test sensitivity, finding more infected animals within herds. These measures have been introduced over the last 18 months, and include increased use of gamma-testing, the removal of Inconclusive Reactors from persistent herds and severe interpretation of the skin test. These measures are employed with the intention of clearing up infection within TB restricted herds, reducing the risk of the disease spreading and breakdowns recurring.

It is important to address the common misconception that the absence of post-mortem disease confirmation means that animals are not infected. This is not the case. We know that in most cases TB testing identifies infected cattle at an early stage, that is before physical lesions develop, meaning that disease is unlikely to be ‘confirmed’ at post-mortem inspection. Post-mortem examinations rarely detect the early microscopic TB lesions which may be present but are not yet visible to the naked eye. Similarly, many truly infected animals’ culture samples do not yield positive results for disease because the culturing of tissue in the laboratory will be more successful when taken from tissue where the lesions can be seen. Sampling tissue from an animal without visible lesions will, by necessity, be less discriminate. Furthermore, the vast majority of TB reactors are not cultured at all if infection in their herd has already been established. The reality is that TB reactors must be considered highly likely to be infected. Research established the skin test has a specificity of 99.9 per cent (that is, it produces one false positive result for every 1,000 tests).

The Welsh Government fully appreciates the impact bovine TB can have on a farmer, their business and their family. In recognition of this the Cymorth TB programme is designed to support farmers during TB breakdowns and beyond. The farmer in all new TB breakdowns is offered a Government-funded specialist TB veterinary visit by their own private veterinary practice. The Welsh Government through Cymorth TB is also contracted with the Farming Community Network to provide specialist well-being and personal support to farmers affected by TB in Wales, recognising the emotional and psychological impact of the disease has on both individual farmers and their families.

Yours etc,

Dr Christianne Glossop, Chief Veterinary Officer, Welsh Government.

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