British Cattle Veterinary Association

The TB epidemic in cattle in Britain has worsened with a 24% increase in herd outbreaks during 2008. The soundness of the policy advice from the Independent Scientific Group on TB (ISG) is thus questioned. Assumptions which have been made in the mathematical modelling of the disease are challenged regarding the origins of infection of outbreaks, the universal infectiousness of reactors, the significance of multiple reactors and the differing nature of disease in cattle and badgers. It is suggested that these inputs into the ISG model have resulted in it being flawed. Also the advice to further increase cattle controls is considered pointless. No progress in control of the epidemic will be achieved without a selective cull of infected badger communities.