DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (60/09) issued by
COI News Distribution Service. 19 March 2009
The first vaccine
against bovine tuberculosis in badgers will be used in the field
in England next year, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn announced today.
The vaccine will be used in six areas of up to 100km2 where there
is a high incidence of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle.
Vaccination will start in 2010 and continue for at least five years.
It will be the first practical use of a vaccine for TB in badgers
outside research trials.
The deployment project will focus on developing practical
approaches for use rather than developing further evidence of the
effectiveness of the vaccine, although Defra will be looking at
the number of cattle herd TB breakdowns in the areas for any
changes in cattle disease trends.
Hilary Benn said:
"Developing an effective vaccine for bovine TB is only half
the challenge. The other is to deploy it effectively. This project
will help us do that. As such it marks real progress in our fight
against this terrible disease."
The project will focus on ease of use in the field, securing
local engagement in the vaccination campaign, developing practical
know how and creation of a skills base. Government, the farming
industry and other stakeholders working together will be important
for its success.
Defra will begin to sign up participants and train personnel
during 2009, with vaccination expected to begin in summer 2010.
The Government is working with the Bovine TB Eradication Group
for England and other key groups to develop criteria for selecting
the areas where the project will take place, looking specifically
at areas with a high incidence of bovine TB in cattle.
Notes to editors
1. Since 1998, Defra has invested significantly in developing
vaccines for bovine TB. More than £23 million will have been spent
on this research by the end of March 2009.
2. In July 2008, Hilary Benn announced that £20 million would be
spent on this research area over the next three years to
strengthen the prospects of successfully developing a usable
vaccine. He also made clear that additional funding would be
provided to set up and run a practical project to prepare for
deploying vaccines in the future - the Injectable Badger Vaccine
Deployment Project.
3. More information on bovine TB and vaccines is available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/vaccination/index.htm.
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