The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and BVA Scottish Branch welcome legislation in Scotland that will further protect Scotland’s livestock against bovine TB, which came into effect at the end of last week (9 October).
The new legislation will extend the regime of TB controls to specified non-bovine animals, including alpaca, sheep, and farmed deer. The controls aim to ensure that Scotland retains its officially TB free status. These controls include notification of the disease in specified non-bovine animals and compulsory slaughter of any TB reactors identified.
BVA Scottish Branch President Grace Webster said:
“BVA and BVA Scottish Branch responded to the initial consultation on these disease control measures last December. We are pleased to see that the Scottish Government has put legislative measures in place to guard against an incursion of the disease into Scotland in line with our advice. We know that the disease in South American Camelids has an extensive and aggressive pathology, and has zoonotic potential, so these new controls show the foresight of the Scottish Government in animal welfare and agriculture as well as human health.”
BVA President Sean Wensley said:
“We continue to work with our Scottish colleagues and the Scottish Government to protect Scotland’s officially TB free status and welcome this new legislation, however we know that disease does not respect borders and that one of the surest ways to safeguard Scotland’s livestock against bovine TB is to ensure its eradication in the rest of the UK. BVA continues to work with all governments of the UK towards this end.”
