On farm BCGcattle vaccination and DIVA skin testing (Detect Infected among Vaccinated Animals) activity has started in herds located in the low-risk areas of England and Wales.
The NFU is pleased to note advancements to progress phase three which aims to further optimise the performance and delivery of the DIVA skin test following the initial announcement made in March 2024. It is a vital step forward to deliver a potentially significant tool in the long-term strategy to eradicate this devastating disease.
“As we’ve said for many years, ensuring farmers have access to all the tools in the toolbox proven to reduce bTB is essential to eradicating this devastating disease.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
Phase three will involve at least 750 cattle across 10 commercial farms in the LRA (Low-Risk Area) of England and the LTBA (Low TB Area) of Wales, with completion expected by 2026.
Vital to have access to all the tools
Responding to the news, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “After an unacceptable delay, it’s encouraging to hear progress is finally being made on the next phase of trials for a cattle vaccine and companion DIVA skin test for bTB. Research and development are crucial elements of the bTB eradication strategy.
“While promising, farmers are still no clearer about the timeline for accessible delivery of cattle vaccination and bTB continues to affect the lives of farming families and their cattle herds every day.
“As we’ve said for many years, ensuring farmers have access to all the tools in the toolbox proven to reduce bTB is essential to eradicating this devastating disease. That includes cattle testing, vaccination of badgers where viable and the culling of badgers where the disease is endemic. We also need to empower the relationship between farmer and veterinarian to utilise a wider range of diagnostic tools.”
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: “That we are reaching this stage is testament to our world leading scientists in organisations like the Animal Plant Health Agency, but also to the vets and farmers that have taken part in this trial and previous trials.
“If this next phase is successful, we are one step closer to a vaccine which used in conjunction with other measures will help tackle this insidious disease that impacts livestock farmers across the globe.”
United effort
Earlier phases, completed since July 2021, involved more than 1,100 cattle from 13 herds and demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of both the BCGcattle vaccine and the DIVA skin test under controlled conditions.
Recent studies have indicated that integrating a bTB cattle vaccination programme into control efforts has the potential to reduce cattle to cattle transmission, protect individual animals, and ease the emotional and financial burden on farming families.
The NFU and APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) thank the significant number of farmers who completed an expression of interest in participating in the trials. The field trials can only succeed with the help of farmers and everyone playing their part to tackle bTB.
More information on how the results from the field trials will be used can be found at: GOV.UK | Cattle bovine TB vaccine field trials move to next phase.
Who is taking part?
The APHA has recruited around 750 animals from at least 10 farms in the LRA of England and the low bTB area of Wales.
The trial will involve a proportion of each herd, and animals must remain in their herds until the end of their productive lives. Full details of the eligibility criteria are available on the TB Hub.
