TB ear tag scam threatens health of cattle

A FRAUDULENT scam involving farmers transferring ear tags from high-yielding dairy cattle infected with tuberculosis to less-productive unaffected cattle has been uncovered in Gloucestershire.

The short-term benefit for the fraudsters is the retention of high-yielding cattle rather than them going off to slaughter as part of the TB control system.

The announcement was made yesterday by environment food and rural affairs minister Jim Paice, who said the UK government would be using DNA technology as from the middle of this month to put a stop to the practice, which might increase the risk of spread of TB to other herds and wildlife.

DNA tags will be inserted in the ear of cattle that test positive for TB at the time of the test. These tags remove a small tissue sample at the time of insertion which can then be DNA tested by the animal health inspectors. These samples will be cross-checked on a random basis against the DNA from animals sent to slaughter. Recognising the seriousness of this situation, the British Veterinary Association and the British Cattle Veterinary Association will be asking their members who carry out TB tests to support the animal health service by undertaking the additional measure of DNA tagging for no additional fee for the next six months.

BVA president Harvey Locke described the fraud as "shocking". "Worryingly, it puts the national TB eradication strategies at risk and urgent action is required to prevent it happening in the future," he said.

BCVA president John Fishwick described those behind the fraud as "selfish", adding they were undermining the hard work and integrity of the vast majority as well as undermining efforts to control TB in cattle.

NFU president Peter Kendall said the Union totally supported the actions of the government and condemned the behaviour of those involved in the fraud.

He added he struggled to understand why some farmers would undertake the fraudulent activity.