NEWS

Scotland seeks TB-free status
By Staff Reporter

THE Scottish Government’s decision to seek Officially Tuberculosis Free (OTF) status for Scottish cattle sends out a clear message to the rest of the UK and Europe that enhances Scotland’s reputation for quality, healthy livestock according to NFU Scotland.

The number of confirmed TB cases in Scotland has now been at a consistently low level over a sustained number of years, thus it meets the criteria required for OTF status.

With the announcement that Scotland is to seek European approval for OTF status, it starts a process that is likely to take many months to complete and has no implications for the coming autumn store sales.

For the future, the Union believes that work must begin in earnest to look at the implications for the traditional trade in suckled calves and store cattle between Scotland and other parts of the UK and how any concerns over this can be minimised.

There are no implications for prime cattle entering Scotland and going straight to abattoirs.

Full story available in FARM WEEK - see your local newsagent
Click here for previous stories