Terms of Reference
Defra has commissioned the independent panel of experts who conducted the 2018 Bovine TB Strategy Review to consider whether there is any substantive new evidence or analysis that affects the conclusions made in their report. This will ensure work on a comprehensive new bovine TB strategy for England, which was announced in August, benefits from the latest evidence and science.
The panel started in January and expect to report their findings by the end of June 2025.
The panel is:
- reviewing recent evidence and analysis published since 2018 that is relevant to bTB control in England
- considering and advising on any new opportunities for improved application, enhancement or acceleration of the interventions set out in the 2018 Strategy Review,
- advising on gaps in the available evidence and disease control tools.
The review is considering all the drivers for controlling disease spread as set out in the 2018 report. The focus is on the bTB eradication strategy for England only but may include lessons learnt from the experiences of the Devolved Administrations and from the strategies deployed by other countries.
The review is taking a prospective and not a retrospective view. It will not be making policy recommendations.
During February 2025 the panel invited submissions of natural and social science evidence that might not have been picked up in standard literature searches.
An evidence-based report detailing the findings will be submitted to the Strategy Refresh Steering Group for consideration and will be published in due course.
Panel members
- Chair: Professor Sir Charles Godfray FRS, University of Oxford – GOV.UK profile
- Professor Glyn Hewinson CBE, Aberystwyth University – Aberystwyth University profile
- Professor Sir Bernard Silverman FRS, University of Oxford – GOV.UK profile
- Professor Michael Winter OBE, University of Exeter – GOV.UK profile
- Professor James Wood OBE, University of Cambridge – University of Cambridge profile
Professor Christl Donnelly FRS, who was on the 2018 Panel, requested to be recused and her place has been taken by Sir Bernard Silverman.