Information is vital

Farmers are being encouraged by the NFU to get behind a scheme that would see TB information supplied with cattle at the point of sale. Defra's publication of the risk-based trading report puts the provision of TB information and herd history at the forefront of recommendations to help farmers in all TB risk areas assess the risks when buying livestock.
“The main recommendation of the risk-based trading group, which included broad representation from the livestock and dairy sectors, is the development of a comprehensive database which links both animal health and cattle movement data. Other countries have shown how truly effective industry databases can help the farming industry control and eradicate disease. A number of these recommendations will be a challenge for some farmers and we will need to consider these recommendations and how they can be brought about practically in some detail. However the wider benefits of being able to buy and sell stock, knowing the risks, should allow farmers to purchase livestock with more confidence.”