| 2013-03-14 |  |
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New figures highlight the ongoing challenge of TB, with the spread of bovine TB leading to the slaughter of 28,284 cattle in England in 2012, a 7% increase compared to 2011.
New statistics, published by Defra, highlight the growing impact of the disease on the UK dairy and beef industry and emphasise the need to take urgent action to reduce the spread of TB.
photo © Jennifer MacKenzie
Farming Minister David Heath said:
“Bovine TB continues to spread
at an unacceptable rate, leading to the slaughter of thousands
of cattle and ongoing misery for our dairy farmers. “What was once
confined to a small area of the south west has the potential to
become a national crisis and if left unchecked could cost the taxpayer
£1 billion over the next ten years. We cannot afford to sit back
and let this happen, which is why we are doing everything we can
to get on top of this dreadful disease.
Other key figures published show:
The number of TB tests carried out in 2012 in England was 5,849,498, up from
5,493,311 in 2011. This reflects the increased testing being undertaken to
monitor the spread of the disease.
