The Oxfordshire Bovine TB Cluster Project steering group is working hard to lead initiatives and respond to local stakeholders’ concerns relating to bTB. A concern that has been raised is the potential increase in wild deer numbers. Wild deer have the potential to transmit M. bovis, but most deer populations in England are generally believed to behave as spillover hosts of infection from cattle or badgers. Its is important that people controlling deer are aware of the signs of bTB infection and how to report them.
The steering group has developed a plan to support local farmers to better understand this issue, upskill local stakeholders and improve the reporting of suspicion of bTB in wild deer.
The group are offering free training days for anyone involved in deer management within the cluster area to learn how to identify and report visible signs that might be indicative of bTB in wild deer.
These will take place at Cornbury park on 1 November (9am – 12pm and 1pm – 4pm) and will be led by Kit Heawood of Tyndale Deer Vets. The sessions are free of charge and funded by the Oxfordshire bTB Cluster Project. Future additional dates are planned.
The steering group wishes to encourage you to get involved and support your local community in understanding bovine TB. To book a place please contact: oxfordshirecluster.project@defra.gov.uk.
