Terms of Reference
Defra 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 2024, benefits from the latest evidence and science.
The panel:
- reviewed recent evidence and analysis published since 2018 that is relevant to bTB control in England
- considered and advised on any new opportunities for improved application, enhancement or acceleration of the interventions set out in the 2018 Strategy Review,
- advised on gaps in the available evidence and disease control tools.
The review considered all the drivers for controlling disease spread as set out in the 2018 report. The focus was on the bTB eradication strategy for England only but included lessons learnt from the experiences of the Devolved Administrations and from the strategies deployed by other countries.
The review took a prospective and not a retrospective view. It did not be make 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 was submitted to the Strategy Refresh Steering Group for consideration.
The report can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bovine-tuberculosis-godfray-evidence-review-update-2025.
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.