Paul Tompkins manages 500 cows on his farm. (Image: Christopher Booth)
A vaccine against bovine TB would be a vital “insurance policy” for farmers if trials ultimately prove successful, a farmer who looks after 500 cows has said. Paul Tompkins, 46, Chair of the National Farmers Union (NFU) Dairy Board, runs a dairy farm in the Vale of York, and has been part of recent tests of the jab. The vaccine would be another tool the third-generation milker could use to help lower the risk of disease on his land. It comes after vets said cattle vaccine trials on eradicating bovine TB, which has struck TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson's herd, showed "really promising" results.
Mr Tompkins said: “I vaccinate for a number of animal health reasons. I can do it for everything from ringworm and pneumonia to other cattle-specific diseases. And it’s an insurance policy.” He added: “The reality is that a poorly cow isn't as productive as a healthy cow. So, everything I can do to keep the cows healthy is a good thing.” He pointed out that he was in a low-risk area as regards bovine TB, which costs the UK ￡100million a year, and a jab would ensure a better financial return for those people whose herd have been infected.
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Mr Tompkins warns that the jab won't be the 'Holy Grail'. (Image: Christopher Booth)
“They will be more likely to see less transmission within their own herd, whereas my herd is a TB-free herd.” Mr Tompkins said.
However, he also pointed out that cattle owners are “frustrated” and a vaccine is most likely years away from being rolled out.
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The farmer called slow progress since 2002 “one of the greatest failings in government” and emphasised that many technicalities, such as acquiring the data to show the efficacy of the jab in a cow compared to a person and establishing the difference between an infected animal and a vaccinated animal, need to be solved.
Mr Tompkins said: “I just sometimes feel that the cattle vaccine is being offered as the Holy Grail of TB eradication, and I really hope it is.
“But we've got to be mindful at the moment. There is no scientific evidence that that is going to be as effective as that.”
It's illegal to shoot badgers in England and Wales without a Governmental license. (Image: Getty)
He also lamented at what he called the “ineffective use of money” on bat tunnels, referring to the structure built as part of HS2, releasing beavers, which will "stop flooding events", and giving badgers TB shots.
He added: “It's those guys that are staring TB down the barrel today that we've really got to be doing something about, and in that vacuum, whilst we've got the Government that are saying we're not allowed to shoot infected badgers, because it doesn't suit their image or their manifesto pledge or their membership, it just stinks to farmers.”
Shooting badgers is illegal under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 in England and Wales. However, exceptions are granted through Government licences, usually to mitigate against the spread of bovine TB in designated areas.
Adam Westaway, 53, is a third-generation farmer in north Devon who looks after 360 cows.
He recently got the all clear for TB, so is going to sell off 110 of them.
The farmer said: "We've been told that a cattle vaccine for bovine TB is just a few years away for as long as I can ever remember.
"The ability to effectively cost vaccinated cattle would take a great worry off cattle owners.
"The rollercoaster of being in and out of TB movement restrictions has far reaching effects upon the finances, workload, and mental health of farmers who keep cattle."
Adam Westaway is a dairy farmer in Devon. (Image: Adam Westaway)
He added that because the disease has not been detected in his herd, he can move cattle both on and off farm without restrictions or the need for licences.
Mr Westaway said: "But even being 'clear' isn't without its complications as we must still carry extra replacements for the dairy herd for when we have the next breakdown.
"This has implications both financially and structurally for the business."
He also emphasised that multiple measures are needed to keep the disease in check, and these tools should include epidemiologically targeted wildlife control, which has worked in Cumbria, where disease in the wildlife is proven to be a source of infection.
Mr Westaway said: "This has been used effectively with badger vaccination and enhanced testing in cattle, and is a proven strategy to tackle TB hotspots.
"However, confidence in badger vaccination to reduce TB in cattle is not there yet, and the scale needed to effectively deliver badger vaccination is a huge challenge.
Steve Reed is Keir Starmer's DEFRA secretary. (Image: Getty)
The farmer added: "We also need access to more private testing to seek out infected cattle, or animals at higher risk of infection, which can sometimes be missed by the routine skin testing.
It is also vital to have an effective, efficient, and easy-to-use database to trace cattle movements and identify vaccinated and unvaccinated cattle.
"All these on the back of the political landscape make the eradication of this devastating disease a long-term challenge for the Government and farmers, but one we must continue to strive for, for the sake of our cattle, wildlife and farm businesses."
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A Defra spokesperson said: “The Government is determined to eradicate Bovine TB - a devastating disease that destroys too many farming businesses. Following a record year for badger vaccination in 2024, a new Badger Vaccinator Field Force will be deployed next year, to drive down TB rates and protect farming businesses.
"We are also developing a cattle vaccine, and along with the Scottish and Welsh governments have invested over ￡40m into bTB vaccine related research to ensure that we are working as fast as possible, but this has to be done rigorously to ensure it will be effective for farmers.
"We are also supporting farmers with the largest investment in nature friendly farming in this countries history.”
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