The eradication of bTB in the UK and Ireland has been given a fundamentally different focus by prof. Jonathan Rushton, from Liverpool University.
Courtesy of his presentation to the 2024 North of Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA) conference, he asked the fundamental question: do we kill the pathogen or do we kill the host animal?
Rushton heads up the Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs) programme, developed in collaboration with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
He referred to what he defined as the UK’s obsession with the control of bTB and suggested that the use of an antigen-based DIVA test, in tandem with a vaccination programme, had merit.
“We often tend to get lost in killing animals whereas we should be focused on getting rid of the pathogen.
bTB eradication
“So, if we are really interested in the issue of bTB eradication as a public health issue, then the use of an imperfect vaccine has merit, even if we can’t carry out a DIVA test.
“However, this approach will entail the application of a new mindset amongst all the relevant parties,” prof. Rushton said.
The Liverpool University academic then drew a parallel with a heated debate that took place a number of years ago on the use avian flu vaccination.
“Those in favour of a vaccination policy took the view that such an approach would reduce pathogen levels in the environment.
Prof. Rushton also addressed the trade related-issues, concerning the use of a BTB vaccine on cattle.
“It depends on who you want to trade with. The issue of the UK being outside of the European Union comes into play at one level.
“But there are countries willing to accept food products from regions of the word where specific animal health problems exist.
“Indonesia’s continued acceptance of beef from India, where foot and mouth disease remains prevalent, is a case in point,” he said.
Last year, India exported US$307.21 million worth of meat and edible meat offal to Indonesia.
India is the second largest meat exporter in the world and Indonesia is the fourth largest export destination for Indian buffalo meat.
NIVA conference
Outgoing Stormont agriculture committee chair, Tom Elliott, who has recently taken his set in the House of Lords, attended the NIVA conference.
“Making progress with regard to the development of an effective bovine tuberculosis eradication strategy is critically important.
“The forthcoming report from the DAERA Chief Veterinary Officer will be critically important in this regard,” the chair stressed.
Elliott has noted the decision by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) not to renew badger culling licences in England and Wales.
“Agriculture is a devolved matter. We have never had a wildlife cull implemented in Northern Ireland.
“There is strong evidence to suggest that badgers are a core issue where the transmission of bovine tuberculosis is concerned,” he added.
