{"id":77376,"date":"2016-12-16T14:18:26","date_gmt":"2016-12-16T14:18:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=3363854255087c26551a8b43cc814f1c"},"modified":"2016-12-16T14:18:26","modified_gmt":"2016-12-16T14:18:26","slug":"press-release-tb-strategy-ahead-of-schedule-as-england-set-to-apply-for-officially-tb-free-status-for-half-the-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=77376","title":{"rendered":"Press release: TB strategy ahead of schedule as England set to apply for officially TB-free status for half the country"},"content":{"rendered":"
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England is set to apply for Officially TB<\/abbr>-Free (OTF<\/abbr>) status for more than half of the country next year – two years ahead of schedule – as the Government\u2019s strategy to tackle bovine TB<\/abbr><\/a> (bTB<\/abbr>) continues to deliver results.<\/p>\n

Dealing with Bovine TB<\/abbr> in England costs taxpayers over \u00a3100 million a year, required the culling of 28,000 cattle in 2015 and causes devastation and distress for rural communities.<\/p>\n

Gaining OTF<\/abbr> status for the low risk area, covering the north and east of England, would boost trade opportunities and mean some herds require less regular TB<\/abbr> testing, reducing costs for farmers.<\/p>\n

This would be the first time anywhere in England has enjoyed this status, making beef exports from the UK more attractive for trade partners around the world. Achieving this status for the low risk area is a key step in the government\u2019s 25-year plan for the whole of the UK to be TB<\/abbr>-free by 2038.<\/p>\n

Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom said:<\/p>\n

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Gaining global recognition that more than half of England is TB<\/abbr>-free will be a significant milestone in our long-term plan to eradicate this devastating disease, and will open up new trading opportunities for farmers.<\/p>\n

We have much still to do in the worst affected parts of the country, but this shows that our strategy – combining practical biosecurity measures, a robust cattle movement and testing regime, and badger control in areas where the disease is rife – is right and is working.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Results<\/a> published today confirm all ten licensed badger control<\/a> operations achieved successful outcomes. A consultation<\/a> opens today on next steps for badger control in areas that have completed the first four years of intensive culling. This will mean the disease reduction benefits we anticipate are prolonged for many years to come.<\/p>\n

Other measures announced today as part of the government\u2019s 25-year strategy to eradicate bovine TB<\/abbr> are:<\/p>\n