All English farmers can now access free TB advice regardless of their risk status, following the awarding of a new contract.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) granted the TB Advisory Service (TBAS) Successor Contract to Farmcare Solutions, an entirely vet-led team.
The joint venture company is made up of VetPartners, Independent Vet Care (IVC), UK Farmcare and Obligace.
The new contract introduces some fundamental changes to TBAS including:
- Being available to any farm in England that keeps livestock susceptible to TB, not just those in high risk and edge areas;
- Being available to keepers of not just cattle but farmed sheep, pigs, deer and camelids;
- An increase in the number of free visits. Now an initial visit will be carried out by a veterinary surgeon and a second follow up visit six months later (both are free to the farmer). Previously a highly skilled independent non- veterinary TBAS advisor and a private veterinary surgeon would carry out just one visit;
- All farmers who have already accessed the service will be eligible for the new funding.
The changes mean even more farmers can receive the tools and know-how to assess what can be controlled on-farm to reduce the risk and length of a TB breakdown.
Sarah Tomlinson, technical director at TBAS said:
The expansion to TBAS means we can help farmers do everything within their power to prevent the spread of TB into previously unaffected locations.
“At VetPartners we witness the devastation caused by TB first-hand, both for farm businesses and the mental health of people affected by an outbreak.
“This is why it’s crucial for farmers to get independent veterinary advice, bespoke to their farm, free of charge.”
Tomlinson explained that pigs, sheep, goats, deer and camelids can all be infected with TB, so it makes complete sense to extend the service to all livestock sectors, giving farmers more control over TB through simple cost-effective changes to farm biosecurity measures.
