TB source still a mystery

Some three weeks after the confirmation of what has turned out to be the largest outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in Scotland for decades, the source of the infection has still not been identified.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said yesterday that the origin of the outbreak of the disease at the Reid family dairy farm of Ballencrieff, Bathgate, “remained obscure”, with no clear origin for the disease.

So far, 61 cattle from the farm have been taken out under the government’s slaughter and compensation policy. Movement restrictions prevent any livestock coming to or leaving the farm.

While neighbours whose stock have had “nose to nose” contact with Ballencrieff cattle have been contacted and advised that their stock will require to be tested, concerns have been expressed locally that official action on this front has been slow.

Testing started on some neighbouring farms last week but the operation is believed to be behind schedule with quite a few cattle still to be tested. However, the government said yesterday they hoped to complete testing by the end of the first week in May.

Unlike England and Wales where the disease is endemic, Scotland has been officially recognised as TB-free by the EU for over two years.

ANDREW ARBUCKLE