Shropshire Bovine TB cases above national average
The number of Bovine TB cases in Shropshire is increasing more than the national average the latest government statistics for 2012 show.
From 2011 to 2012, the total number of new TB cases across Great Britain increased by 5.5%. In Shropshire however, the number of new incidents reported in 2012 increased by 16.4%.
Over 1900 cattle in Shropshire were slaughtered in 2012, meaning the total number slaughtered over the last five years has risen to over 9,000 animals.
Responding to the publication by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Shrewsbury and Atcham MP, Daniel Kawczynski said:
“Bovine TB has long been a problem which has blighted Shropshire’s hard working dairy farmers and our countryside. These latest statistics however show how Shropshire is among the worst suffering in Great Britain, and I am more determined than ever to work for our farmers to secure measures helping fight this debilitating disease.
“Since becoming Shrewsbury’s MP, I have represented Shropshire Dairy Farmers by creating the All Party Parliamentary Group for Dairy Farmers which fought to secure a fair price for farmers milk. As the Parliamentary Aide to the Minister for Agriculture, I was also able to make the case personally for measures to help Shropshire deal with its bovine TB problems. After these latest statistics however, I have written to the Environment Secretary and fellow Shropshire MP, Owen Paterson, to highlight Shropshire’s worsening position and ask that we’re seen as a priority for measures to combat this disease.”
