In the 12 months up to the end of May 2018, the total number of animals slaughtered due to Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) has increased by 196% when compared with the previous 12 months. This has seen the total number of cattle slaughtered due to TB rise from 181 to 536.

These outbreaks of TB are concentrated in certain areas, with 86% of all slaughterings due to TB occurring to cattle in the Ayrshire, Wigtownshire and Argyll area. The Ayrshire region was particularly badly hit, with no TB incidents reported in the 12 months up to the end of May 2017 and 191 cases in the following 12 months.

Also, while the total number of cattle has spiked, the number of restricted herds has remained stationary at 137 for the past two years. This would indicate that the number of incidences are not actually increasing, but rather that larger herds are being harder hit with the disease. The number of tests carried out has actually dropped slightly to 2,062 tests in the 12 months ending May 2018, with 2,097 tests in the 12 months previous to this.

Worryingly, cases have hit their highest point since 2003, when 544 cattle were slaughtered due to the disease.

The amount of compensation paid for animals slaughtered to prevent the spread of TB has consequently increased from £331,498 in 2016 to £415,050 in 2017.

Precautionary approach

“It’s one of those diseases which you can’t predict. It would be great if people were more cautious with where they bought cattle from as buying less cattle from risky areas greatly reduces the chance of bringing TB into Scotland,” according to Penny Middleton, health and welfare policy manager with the NFUS.

“It’s vital to remember that Scottish government are looking at these things and take a precautionary approach. They are looking at the type of TB and most importantly whether farms are getting re-infected or if it is being spread between neighbours,” Middleton explained.

Of the 536 cattle slaughtered due to the disease, 471 were reactors. The sensitive gamma interferon blood test is used to pick up animals exposed to TB. However, they may not go on to get the disease. The Government implements a precautionary approach, with more marginal cases slaughtered to reduce the spread of the disease.

With TB status critical for exports and written into trade agreements, there is little wiggle room on the testing regime in Scotland. Rule changes have seen cattle given TB status after two inconclusive tests as opposed to the three previously required. The new testing regime takes a more invasive approach to herds which have suspected TB with increased testing.

In comparison, last year there were 33,687 cattle compulsorily slaughtered through the TB scheme in England.