Shropshire Holstein Club & Shropshire Farm Vets – We present the TB Panel Debate to ask “WHERE ARE WE GOING WITH TB”?

3^rd March 2025. 7.30 pm at Halls Auction Mart,  Shrewsbury

We present the TB Panel Debate to ask “WHERE ARE WE GOING WITH TB”?

Can we eradicate TB and how?   OR, will we have to learn to live with it?

If Culling is removed from the Tool Box how do we progress and control TB?

Or, is there an alternative approach to look at and explore?

Your Chairman is Mr Hugh D Pocock

Mr Tim O’Sullivan MRCVS from Shropshire Farm Vets who are a large TB testing veterinary  practice based in Shrewsbury. Tim has been actively speaking up for farmers with APHA and local MP’s for many years, along with leading members of the NFU and others,  to get a solution for TB that properly addresses the impact of TB on farmers, their families and their businesses.

Mr Philip Latham.  Philip is a dairy farmer milking 500 spring calving cows and has been battling TB for many years.  Phil has spoken to many groups and organizations over the last 14 years for a more positive response in how we deal with TB and the effects it has on our farmers and industry.

Mrs Sarah Tomlinson, MRCVS.  Sarah was  a farm vet in Derbyshire and is now Technical Director for the TB advisory Service. She has been encouraging farmers and Vets to to see TB as an infectious disease in order to get some control of it in her role working for the AHDB.

Mr Richard Sibley. Hons FRCVS.  Dick is Principal and director of West Ridge Vet Practice in Devon. Dick has a dedicated interest in cattle, with particular expertise in managing infectious diseases such as BVD, Johnes and Tuberculosis and involved nationally in the management of BSE, FMD and BVD. He also provides  whole herd health plans for large dairies to predict and prevent any health issues. Dick  featured on the Badger debate with Brian May on TV and although may not agree with everything Brian claims, thinks that the programme has raised important issues about prevention and control.

Mr Edward Garratt.   Ed was the County Advisor for the NFU in Shropshire with particular responsibility as TB adviser,  setting up cull areas, but maintains a specific interest in BTB in the County.   He runs a flock of sheep at home and formerly worked on a large dairy herd in Cheshire.

All interested parties are welcome  but an expression of intent to attend will be appreciated.  Please email frank_dixon@outlook .com  any Shropshire Club member or  Shropshire Farm Vets.

Angela Bowcock from the FARMART will be in attendance and will record items covered for inclusion The Real Country File You Tube Channel.

Please send in any questions you have for panel discussion, or you can present them on the evening.                               Kind regards, Frank Dixon, Secretary,  Shropshire Holstein Club

This meeting is supported by AHDB.