1. 1 COSTS AND WELFARE ISSUES OF TB IN CATTLE HERDS JAN ROWE Presentation to SCAWS Conference October 2006

2. 2 1995 Map of Parish test intervals

3. 3 November 2005 Map of parish testing intervals

4. 4 Badger culling strategies graph

5. 5 Own farm situation 500ac Cotswold dairy / arable farm500ac Cotswold dairy / arable farm 180 pedigree dairy cows plus followers180 pedigree dairy cows plus followers First TB outbreak 1986First TB outbreak 1986 Since 2000, only 2 short periods clearSince 2000, only 2 short periods clear 129 animals lost129 animals lost Farm adapted to TBFarm adapted to TB Insurance no longer availableInsurance no longer available

6. 6 Problems of TB on farm HelplessnessHelplessness –Inability to plan ahead –Inability to legally deal with the risk Utter wastefulnessUtter wastefulness –Animals –Manpower and time –Money – both farmers and tax payers

7. 7 Problems of TB on farm - cont Varying and often large economic impactsVarying and often large economic impacts –Animal and production loss –Cost of movement restriction Emotional ImpactEmotional Impact –Animals ‘part of the family’ –Personal / family stress –Shooting of calves –Worry over business viability

8. 8 Estimated costs of TB at Whalley Farm £ k - Costs of testing 54 - Reduction / surplus in planned animal numbers 15 - Reduced sale values 10 - Change of enterprise structure 125 - Loss of closed herd status 30 - Variable compensation 8 - Constant disruption to business plan 10 10 £ 252 k 1986-2006

9. 9 Main cost areas for TB Cost of testingCost of testing Loss of animalsLoss of animals Isolation of reactors / IRSIsolation of reactors / IRS Movement restrictionsMovement restrictions Restocking costsRestocking costs B********** factorB********** factor

10. 10 Some typical TB problems Cannot get out of farming because of TBCannot get out of farming because of TB Store producers with no sale / no food / no buildingsStore producers with no sale / no food / no buildings Having to shoot calvesHaving to shoot calves Loss of favourite animals / family pets / blood linesLoss of favourite animals / family pets / blood lines Closed herds with good biosecurity being decimatedClosed herds with good biosecurity being decimated Severe overstocking contrary to all good adviceSevere overstocking contrary to all good advice Restriction on enterprise availabilityRestriction on enterprise availability Sales timing dictated by test timetable not business timetableSales timing dictated by test timetable not business timetable

11. 11 Defra’s Autumn ’05 package on TB Tabular ValuationTabular Valuation Pre-movement testingPre-movement testing Badger culling consultationBadger culling consultation

12. 12 Tabular Valuation Aim is to reduce cost of compensation to taxpayerAim is to reduce cost of compensation to taxpayer Far too simplistic especially for high value breedingFar too simplistic especially for high value breeding Whole industry condemnation of the ideaWhole industry condemnation of the idea Beginning to cause unrest and may affect ‘cooperation’ or precipitate uncoordinated action against badgersBeginning to cause unrest and may affect ‘cooperation’ or precipitate uncoordinated action against badgers

13. 13 Pre-movement testing Theoretically a good idea but based on a weak individual animal testTheoretically a good idea but based on a weak individual animal test Is experimental so Defra should payIs experimental so Defra should pay Likely to be logistically difficult and very expensive from March ’07Likely to be logistically difficult and very expensive from March ’07 Has not worked in Republic of IrelandHas not worked in Republic of Ireland Spoligotype mapping does not support the theory that animal movements are to blame for the TB increase inside hotspots.Spoligotype mapping does not support the theory that animal movements are to blame for the TB increase inside hotspots.

14. 14 Possible badger culling Decision postponed because of fall in TB in ’06Decision postponed because of fall in TB in ’06 Any culling policy must be flexible and allowed to evolveAny culling policy must be flexible and allowed to evolve The best way of reducing the long term cost and misery of TB is to invest now and aim for the eradication of the disease in cattleThe best way of reducing the long term cost and misery of TB is to invest now and aim for the eradication of the disease in cattle