DEFRA NEWS
Transition to the lifting of the OTM rule
In July 2004 having completed a risk assessment the Food Standards
Agency (FSA) advised ministers that, subject to putting a testing regime
in place, it would now be acceptable to replace the OTM rule with BSE
testing for OTM cattle born after July 1996.
A switch over from the OTM rule to BSE testing will happen only when the
Agency has advised Ministers that the testing regime is robust. This
change, when introduced, would bring the UK into line with the
arrangements which apply throughout the EU, except that UK cattle born
before August 1996 would remain permanently excluded from the food
chain.
Ministers are also keen to accelerate the lifting of the EU restrictions
on UK beef exports. Before export restrictions can be eased, there will
need to be:
-
A further inspection visit from
the EU’s Food and Veterinary Office to check our BSE controls and
testing arrangements
-
A proposal from the European
Commision to amen EU legislation
-
Agreement by other EU members
states
All this is likely to take until
late 2005.
BSE
The incidence of BSE cases continues to fall for both clinical cases and
those disclosed by the various surveys (e.g. casualties, fallen stock).
In Dorset in 2004 there were 3 clinical cases and 6 positive Casualty
Fallen Stock animals compared to 17 and 8 in 2003.
National Fallen Stock Scheme
The government sponsored collection for fallen animals started in
November 2004. Details can be found on the web at
www.nationalfallenstock.co.uk and/or telephone 0845 04 8888.
Brucellosis
A herd in Dorset was recently put under restrictions as a result of a
positive result on an abortion investigation. This again emphasises the
need to report all cattle abortions to DEFRA as required by law.
Disease News
Worst disease outbreak of the month is an abortion storm caused by
Salmonella Dublin producing 12 abortions, at the last count, and still
rising. This organism has a habit of being a problem, going away or
being controlled and then if control measures are relaxed coming back
with a bite.
It can be related to rainfall and
fluke activity where fluke migration through the bile duct can trigger
release of dormant S. dublin organisms from the gall bladder.
Whatever the trigger factors this number of abortions has potentially
devastating consequences with abortions being costed at around £500-£600
each and the effect on calving patterns and milk production profiles
also being significant.
Control measures include vaccination with Bovivac-S, hygiene and
disposal of foetuses and afterbirths, culling of potential carrier cows
and also a Fluke control programme. Salmonella Dublin is a zoonosis i.e.
causes disease in humans and thus sensible hygienic precautions must be
taken. It is advisable not to drink raw milk, particularly applies to
young children and the elderly. It is also required that the milk buyer
is always informed in these circumstances.
Huskvac
This time of year seems to come around ever quicker. Lungworm infection
still seems to raise its ugly head every year, usually in fresh calving
heifers. Our unpredictable but wet climate continues to provide it with
ideal conditions to thrive. The only predictable tool that will protect
your future stock is vaccination.
We are in some herds accepting that wormers will look after infection in
the first grazing season; but the crucial need is for immunity in the
second and subsequent seasons which those same excellent wormers may
have prevented. The more logical timing of Huskvac is pre turnout in the
second grazing season but the main drawback is handling a bigger animal.
However, it seems to be working well on some farms.
Despite price increases the cost
of a course of Huskvac continues to be maintained at £6-50, which
considering losses from disease have been costed at around £40/animal is
certainly a good investment in protecting the future of your herd.
Johne’s Disease
Interest in this disease increases, due in part to its suspect
association with Crohn’s disease in humans. One worrying aspect is the
ease with which it can be spread by the use of pooled colostrum. Where
this practice is normal policy, and it has been traditionally regarded
as a good practice in the control of rotavirus calf scours, the disease
status of the herd needs to be clear. Most infection is acquired in this
early calfhood period.
Blood tests are difficult to interpret as unfortunately they are not
that sensitive particularly in the younger animal. Infection may remain
undetected for some time which makes control difficult. However in
problem herds increasing the frequency of testing, testing at drying
off/pre calving and culling positives and all off spring can increase
the chances of successful control. In spite of its inadequacies it is
still worth testing all bought in animals, hire bulls etc. for Johne’s.
Remember not testing has a 0% chance of detecting it!
DEFRA leaflet available from the Surgery.
WANTED
1 small trailer suitable for transporting Foot Crush - some restoration
work not a problem. If you have one needing a home please contact Mark.
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