Archived News

21st Setember 2008

Two of the cattle on the North Downs indicated a thicker skin measurement during phase two of  TB testing.  The vet says it is highly unlikely that the calves have contracted TB and it is more likely that these calves have reacted to a combination TB jabs given on Monday and a down-land plant such as Wild Parsnip.

We have received Notice Prohibiting Movement of Bovine Animals from Animal Health (DEFRA).  Bovine animals are not permitted to move onto or off the premises unless we are issued with a licence authorising us to do so, or an inspector serves a Notice on us revoking the initial Notice.

It is a case of waiting for lab tests to be completed but we are still hopeful this is a false alarm.  We understand that the calves in question were bought in from a Hampshire farm prior to that farmer unwittingly buying in a cow from the West Country which subsequently tested positive to BTV.

We would have been buying more calves from local dairy farmers this week but won't be able to until this situation is clarified.