The bovine TB Partnership of stakeholders and government are working together towards the shared goal of eradicating bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in England. The bTB Partnership was established to encourage shared ownership, coordination and decision-making and as a driving force for further progress towards disease eradication.
Why do we need a bTB Partnership?
Bovine TB can be devastating for farmers and rural communities and currently costs taxpayers in England around £100 million every year. Defra is committed to driving forward an ambitious strategy to eradicate it, which includes a range of evidence-led interventions to tackle the disease in both cattle and wildlife. The independent 2018 Godfray Review recommended a refreshed governance for bTB and emphasised the importance of all sectors making a concerted effort to eradicate disease. That is why the government needs to work with industry and wider stakeholders through the bTB Partnership to achieve success.
Who is involved?
The bTB Partnership comprises members with extensive experience and expertise in the farming industry, private veterinary profession, non-government organisations, academia, local authorities, and government. It replaces the TB Eradication Advisory Group for England.
Member organisations
Members
- John Cross - chair
- Eleanor Brown - Deputy Director bTB Programme, Defra
- Andrew Soldan - Veterinary Director, APHA
- Tom Rabbetts - NFU
- James Russell - private veterinary surgeon, BVA
- Rebecca Cavill - private veterinary surgeon, BCVA
- Paul Westaway - farmer, High Risk Area
- David Barton - farmer, High Risk Area
- Chris Addison - farmer, Low Risk Area
- Stephanie Young - Local Authority
- Professor Rosie Woodroffe - academic
- Professor Gareth Enticott - academic
- Dr Lindsay Heasman - animal health consultant
- Kate Bowen - private veterinary surgeon
- Sarah Tomlinson - private veterinary surgeon
- Professor James Wood - academic
- Dr Jane Gibbens - academic
- Professor Rowland Kao - academic
What are the main objectives of the bTB Partnership?
The Terms of Reference set out the requirements and standards that the bTB Partnership must meet, including objectives, who attends and chairs meetings, and how often they meet.
Task and finish groups
Task and finish groups are short term groups made up of bTB Partnership members, supported by experts from Defra and APHA. They look at specific issues, analyse available evidence and report back to the wider bTB Partnership.