The Eradication of Bovine Tuberculosis

Abstract

The desirability of eradicating bovine tuberculosis from the herds of this country is discussed both from a public health and an economic point of view. Steps taken over the past few years to achieve this end are indicated and some explanation for the apparently slow progress sought. The progress made under the Tuberculosis (Attested Herds) Scheme is reviewed and the proposed steps to be taken in the final stage of the campaign against this disease are discussed. It is of course highly desirable that the programme should interfere as little as possible with the necessary normal movement of animals which takes place throughout the country, and this fact has been kept in mind when framing the necessary proposals. Both the milk producer and the stock rearer have been offered financial inducement, in the way of bonus payments, to eradicate tuberculosis from their herds voluntarily under the Tuberculosis (Attested Herds) Scheme, I950. This scheme is discussed in some detail in view of its importance in the campaign for some years to come, and the lines along which it is proposed to proceed wtih eradication on an area basis are indicated.