Mike Muz 67":1w410qkd said:
Regular testing does help as the infected cattle are destroyed before they can infect others in the herd . Which is why I cannot understand why it's not made compulsory . With the rate of expansion in our population and the increased pressures on our food chain as a consequence , surely we want that food chain to be as efficient as possible .
Let's hope the drugs to immunise the cattle is developed sooner rather than later .
Mike
Regular testing is carried out on farms. I am not sure of the normal frequency, I think it is once per 6 months when the herd is clean of BTb.
When a cow tests positive for BTb all the others in the herd are tested and the farmer cannot sell or move the cattle off the farm until he gets a clean test. The testing cycle is then every 90 days until he gets a clear test, when it reverts to normal.
The problem is that the tests are not 100 accurate. Skin test is the one DEFRA vets use usually. Although Gamma interferon is another but more expensive.
The vaccine for cattle does not work.