Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 1st February 2013
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel
bTB cattle vaccine unlikely until 2023
Cattle vaccine at least ten years away, says EC

The European Commission (EC) has told Defra that a cattle vaccine for bovine TB (bTB) is unlikely to be made commercially available until 2023.

Writing to Defra secretary Owen Paterson, EU health commissioner Tonio Borg said a cattle vaccination against bTB is "explicitly forbidden," according to EU legislation on disease control. The ban, he said is due to the fact that vaccination interferes with the TB skin test. This means that vaccinated animals who become infected cannot be distinguished from uninfected vaccinated animals. "This would jeopardise current bTB control and eradication policy," he said.

According to Mr Borg, "many knowledge gaps" exist regarding the performance of the the live BCG vaccine, which is currently the only available candidate. He said a recent vaccination workshop in Cardiff indicated a lack of knowledge on the safety of the vaccine, its conditions for use and the suitability of a DIVA test to distinguish between infected and uninfected vaccinated animals.

Mr Borg continued to say that the "fundamental scientific information" required to change EU policy on cattle vaccination, accompanied by a DIVA test was not yet available. Before a vaccine can be made commercially available, he added, further study is required to address food safety issues, such as the shedding of vaccine strain in milk. There are human health concerns as BCG is currently the only vaccine available for humans. It is possible, Mr Borg said, that its use in cattle could lead to BCG-resistant strains of bTB that may also affect humans.

He outlined in his letter a "tentative timeline for bTB vaccination of cattle in the UK," which suggests possible changes to EU legislation is at least ten years away.

Mr Paterson said Mr Borg's letter "recognises that we are on course to deploy a vaccine. The legal and scientific process could take up to 10 years. In the meantime we will continue to use all the tools at our disposal."

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.