Rural Development Sub-Committee

Inquiry into Bovine Tuberculosis

Response from Trace Elements Services Ltd

The Rural Development Sub committee
National Assembly for Wales
Assembly Parliamentary Service
Assembly Offices
Cardiff Bay
CF99 1NA

21 September 2007

Dear Sir,

Re: TB in Wales

We have views on the EPC Committee and ISG report recommendations as follows:

Recommendation 1. - EPC.

Two observations

1.The TB99 forms as used do not cover all the information which could provide better background and indicators of dietary insufficiency which lead to a deterioration of immunocompetence in stock and increased TB susceptibility.

In 1998 we, on request, provided MAFF with suggested amendments to TB99 following meeting with the MAFF TB group. However these were not seriously considered (copy of suggestions available).

2. A pragmatic and holistic approach to tacking TB in Wales by definition includes all practical considerations of all the possible factors which may influence the spread and incidence of TB irrespective of theory or dogma.

It is therefore strange to find omitted from all recommendations any reference to dietary factors, to pasture depletion, to poisoning of soils with certain fertilisers, to over reliance on drugs, herbicides and insecticides, to name a few subjects. In particular, the fundamental elements of life, i.e. the micronutrients, and which have a huge impact on health and production of all life forms are completely ignored.

These were however discussed at length by the Parliamentary committee and DEFRA were asked to investigate. This has so far as is known, not been systematically carried out. After some 30 years of practical experience over many thousands of farms we can say with some certainty that the incidence and spread of TB may be minimised or eliminated by the dietary management of soil, pasture and stock. Furthermore this achievement would only have been possible when dogma and theory were largely ignored.

Recommendation 2

1. All recommendations are agreed. However we would wish to see two, rather than one, intensive treatment areas established. One, as outlined, and a second similar area where everything possible could be done to normalise soil, pastures and stock in a controlled holistic manner. This has in fact already been done but in an uncontrolled and unscientific manner. The apparent results in preventing TB are very encouraging.

Recommendation 3

Agreed.

Recommendation 4

1. Whilst an industry levy is an obvious solution the fact remains that TB is now a major problem due to complacency and the dragging of feet over many years. We became involved in TB some 10 years ago, and we attended all the public meetings of the ISG, which were frankly a waste of time. Having also had some discussion personally with Professor Bourne we are not surprised at the lack of progress in TB control. Suggestions outlined above were dismissed out of hand.

2. The cattle valuation issue needs immediate attention. Due to the anomaly between English and Welsh compensation we understand that some English cattle are being purchased by Welsh farms which, when culled for TB, receive handsome compensation which is then shared between seller and buyer.

3 .It came to our attention recently that some 30 cattle or so were culled and compensated at an average of £28 K per head. This is a completely unacceptable practise.

4. We were informed very recently of a TB test, by blood, of around 600 cattle on an English farm resulting in 104 reactors of which only 2 were found to have TB.

5. We do not agree that bio security risks advice should be primarily provided by veterinary staff. This should be primarily done by environmental staff with vet input when required.

6. To date the research, testing, and academic input to TB problems has been much less than successful and a complete re appraisal of the approach is required. Pragmatism and holism are absent from the TB field and theory and dogma still hold sway, almost entirely, it is felt due to the blinkered influence of academia assisted by the sloth of bureaucracy.

7. The "Wales TB Action group” might be an unfortunate title if it is restricted to "the same old faces”, we have heard it all before.

Some experienced, pragmatic, successful and commercial agriculturists are needed, plus some open minded theorists. On no account should representatives of Big Pharma be included.

We will watch this space with much interest!

ISG Report

We have few observations on the ISG report of the 46 recommendations and conclusions.

1. There is a major emphasis on badgers, which in our opinion is not a major problem. Yes, of course badgers have a role in the TB problems today but the principal problems lie in the lack of a holistic approach to farming in general as outlined above.

2. There are methods to control the health of badgers which have been practised, and communicated to DEFRA with nil interest being shown. This largely eliminates the badger health problem and appears to largely remove badgers as a TB source.

3. There is much "sticking plaster” comment made about badgers, like for example the proposal to separate cattle and badgers with suitable fencing.

4. Culling of badgers does reduce TB, no doubt, and is fairly widely practised we understand in some "hot spots”. But this is unacceptable on a national basis. The aim must be to introduce pragmatic and holistic measures to ensure the whole countryside is a lot healthier than it is at present. Whilst this would be impossible in England, it is certainly possible in most of Wales.

5. There is an urgent need to sort out the tests for TB (para 32 - 36).

6. The conclusion that scientific expertise, like at VLA and CSL should be used more effectively to establish a disease control policy and strategy for TB needs to be very carefully thought out. And where have we got to now with all the scientific expertise? Nowhere, and worse than ever before. There has to be a major input of commonsense and experience from the industry which should have equal or predominant influence on TB strategy.

What price all the scientific expertise at Pirbright?

R Goodwin-Jones
Colonel (Retd)
Director