While cattle farmers in England and Wales face tougher Defra controls this year in continued attempts to eradicate bovine TB, Mr Brooks says producers themselves, in a co-ordinated partnership with universities and other bodies, need to take control of endemic non-zootic diseases such as BVD, IBR and Johnes before the export doors are closed again.

Mr Brooks, who specialises in dairy and beef cattle through his Coomara practice at Carleton, Carlisle, and who holds a diploma in bovine reproduction, took over the presidency at the BCVA’s annual congress.

A member of the BCVA – which with just under 1,400 members is a specialist division of the BritishVeterinary Association - for more than 20 years since his involvement with the Carlisle practice, he is well aware of the potential problems facing exports.

“Personally I think the farming community is going to have to get control and eliminate these diseases before it affects the export trade,” said Mr Brooks.

“Already certain parts of Germany and Italy are IBR-free and therefore won’t accept cattle from this country which have been infected with the disease and it’s not going to be long before BVD joins the list.
Source: Stackyard