Farmer slams delays to TB testing

摘要

A Northamptonshire beef farmer who has been waiting for official TB test results since January has criticised ministry officials for the unnecessarily long delays that are damaging his farm business. Philip Carter believes there is a lack of consistency in how TB testing guidelines are being interpreted, which could be leaving many other farmers facing similar lengthy movement restrictions and uncertainty. His criticisms come after a suspect lesion was found in the lung of one of four animals sent for routine slaughter in January. The abattoir's vet reported the problem and the farm was immediately placed under movement restrictions until test results came back. "We were initially told by a ministry vet the results would be available in three weeks, which then changed to six weeks and has subsequently now been changed to 12 weeks," said Mr Carter.