Time for a different approach for bovine TB control

WE read with interest the recent letter entitled ‘Time for a different approach for bovine TB control’.1 The authors argue that the enormous cost and apparent failure to control bovine TB (bTB) is reason enough to consider abandoning the pursuit of eradication at the national level. This approach may look attractive to government funders and some herd owners and veterinarians. The use of more sensitive tests would uncover a greater level of infection within herds and be unpopular with farmers. The easier route would be to manage control at the herd level and forgo any thought of national eradication. However, eradication from highly infected herds is possible2 and could be the blueprint for wider uptake. “That it is difficult is not reason for our profession to surrender our position as guardians of the country's livestock Is eradication possible? It is well known that infection can be eradicated at herd level. It was reported as far back as 19084 that removal of infection can be achieved and that success was only possible with dedicated veterinary advice and the farmer's total commitment. In an age of larger herds and varied farming systems, it may be more difficult, but as other countries have demonstrated, it is certainly possible. We would strongly argue against surrendering our veterinary responsibility for national control and eradication. The recent excellent reviews in Vet Record5-7 of our current knowledge identified gaps in our understanding of transmission routes, latency and test sensitivities. As well as gaps in our scientific understanding, there are equally important questions about the motivation of veterinary practitioners and farmers to undertake eradication under the present framework; a desire to do so from all parties is surely essential to deliver any national disease programme.