New vaccine has the potential to protect animals and prevent transmission.
The Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA) has confirmed a third phase of field trials for a cattle vaccine and companion skin test for bovine tuberculosis (bTB).
The trials, which are taking place on commercial livestock farms across the Low-Risk Area in England and the Low TB Area in Wales, are scheduled for completion in 2026.
Phase one and two successfully demonstrated that BCG and its companion Detect Infected among Vaccinated animals (DIVA) skin test are safe to use. The third phase of the trials will gather further data on the performance of the DIVA test and explore options for optimisation.
UK chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, added: “The UK is at the forefront of global efforts to develop effective TB cattle vaccines, and we are moving ever closer to having an operable vaccine.
“That we are reaching this stage is testament to our world leading scientists in organisations like the Animal Plant Health Agency, but also to the vets and farmers that have taken part in this trial and previous trials.
“If this next phase is successful, we are one step closer to a vaccine which used in conjunction with other measures will help tackle this insidious disease that impacts livestock farmers across the globe.”
Phase 3 will involve at least 10 farms with a total of 750 animals participating. All the animals enrolled will receive the CattleBCG vaccine and the companion DIVA skin test.
Upon completion, APHA will use data from all three trials to support applications for GB Marketing Authorisations for both the cattle vaccine and the skin test.
Dr Camille Szmaragd Harrison, lead scientist for TB at the APHA, said: “Launching this next phase of the trials has been a collective effort, which was only made possible by the unfailing support from across the farming industry. The team and I are particularly grateful to the hundreds of farmers who expressed their interest in taking part in this trial, without them this would not have been possible.”
Chief veterinary officer for Wales, Richard Irvine, added: “I welcome the start of Phase 3 of the field trials on a farm in Wales. It marks another important step towards having a deployable Cattle TB Vaccine to support the eradication of TB from the national herd and to meet the target of a TB free Wales by 2041.”
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Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
