TB testing

Bovine TB is a major problem across certain parts of the UK. The disease can spread from cow to cow, but may also affect and be spread by badgers, deer, cats and a number of other mammals. The current government 'solution' to this problem is to test the cattle and cull any that react to the tuberculin skin test. If a herd gets a high proportion of animals with TB, then DEFRA vets might have the whole herd slaughtered the farmer receives compensation for the culled animals, but there is nothing that can be done to cover the loss of a prized herd. A herd has to stay under quarantine until the whole herd has tested clear in serious outbreaks it can take years.