What is Bovine TB?
Bovine TB is a hotly debated topic, and there are many different opinions on the matter.
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a chronic, contagious disease which can affect all animals including dairy cows. Due to the seriousness of the disease, farmers take great care to minimise the risk of their cows catching it.
Research has shown that one of the major causes of infection in cattle is through contact with infected badgers. Farmers work hard to try to minimise contact between badgers and dairy cows, including 'badger-proofing' farm buildings and feed stores.
You can find out more from the National Farmers Union at www.tbfreeengland.co.uk/ and to hear from farmers talking about bTB visit www.youtube.com/tbfreeengland.
HOW IS BOVINE TB SPREAD?
The disease spreads from cows to badgers and badgers to cows and is known as the cycle of reinfection. Bovine TB is mainly a respiratory disease, caught by breathing in bacteria, and infection usually occurs when animals are in close contact with each other. For more information please visit http://www.tbfreeengland.co.uk/faqs/
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF BOVINE TB?
Bovine TB affects the lungs of both cows and badgers. Infected animals will lose weight, body condition and experience breathing problems. For more information please visit http://www.tbfreeengland.co.uk/faqs/