Legislation aimed at halting the march of a devastating cattle disease may not be introduced into Cumbria because of a lack of funding. 

New disease control measures to further protect livestock against bovine TB have been introduced in neighbouring Scotland.

But a Longtown vet says although the new legislation is being debated for England, it may not happen because of the cost involved.

The new measures over the border will see TB controls extended to include specified non-bovine animals, including alpaca, sheep and farmed deer. This is to help Scotland keep its officially TB-free status.

Although Cumbria is classed as a low-risk area for the disease, David McCrea, of Capontree Veterinary Practice, says bovine TB is a growing threat.

The new disease controls in Scotland include notification of the disease in specified non-bovine animals and compulsory slaughter of any TB reactions identified.

“This legislation is not implemented in England yet. It is good in theory, but it is going to be down to funding,” said Mr McCrea.

“The law would have to change if this was ever implemented in England. We know that the disease in alpacas has an extensive and aggressive pathology. They can be TB carriers.


David McCrea “But the law would have to state whether alpaca owners would be compensated for their loss.”

Earlier this year a meeting in Penrith heard how the push to see the county bovine TB-free in three years was fast disappearing.

Farmers claim the lack of progress being made by Defra to implement the 25-year TB eradication strategy was partly to blame for the increase in the number of confirmed cases of the disease in the county.

Three months ago figures of bovine TB cases in the county stood at seven, with a further 10 cases where the disease is suspected and cattle have been put under restriction.

The figure compares with five confirmed cases in the county during 2014.

“A small number of cases keep popping up. We had one at Cumrew we dealt with six months ago, which turned out to have originated from an imported animal from Ireland.

“Animals continue to be imported from an infected area and carry the disease with them,” added Mr McCrea.

The British Veterinary Association welcomed the new controls in Scotland. President Sean Wensley said: “We know that the disease does not respect borders and that one of the surest ways to safeguard Scotland’s livestock against bovine TB is to ensure its eradication in the rest of the UK.”

Country, Business and Landowners’ Association (CLA) Cumbria president and dairy farmer, Chris Addison chaired a seminar to highlight the risks to local livestock farmers.

He said he had first-hand experience of the disease after a TB breakdown occured on a farm close to his near Appleby.

“Cumbria and Lancashire are formally recognised as low-risk areas yet occasionally the disease presents itself, causing stress, anguish and loss for affected farmers and their neighbours.”

CLA North regional director, Dorothy Fairburn urged farmers to work together to understand and eradicate the risks.

The three main priorities highlighted by the speakers at the event were: to be careful when moving cattle along the M6 corridor; ensure they receive good quality testing; and do their homework on purchases to limit risk.

The event also highlighted the need for appropriate cattle handling facilities on farms to ensure safety, efficiency and accuracy of tests.