Practical guidance on biosecurity

Biosecurity is about minimising the risk of introduction of disease onto farms. In the context of bovine TB control, it involves stopping TB-infected cattle entering the herd, restricting contact between cattle and badgers, and reducing the TB-risk from neighbouring cattle herds. 

European badger at night - Bovine TB

Biosecurity at pasture

Find out about ways to minimise direct and indirect contact between cattle and badgers at pasture.

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Farm building - Bovine TB

TB in the environment

Find out about how long M. bovis bacteria survive in the farm environment in faeces, feed and water.

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Cows being transported - TB Hub

Stop infected cattle entering the herd

Action you can take to reduce the risk of introducing TB-infected cattle into your herd.

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Farm buildings with badger proof gates and sidings - Bovine TB

Biosecurity for buildings

Learn about practical steps you can take to prevent badger access to farm buildings.

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Biosecurity case studies

Real life examples of farmers implementing bovine TB biosecurity measures on their farms

 

Biosecurity information sheets

These information sheets describe various practical biosecurity measures that you can take on-farm to protect your cattle herd from TB. For each measure, there is an explanation of how it works, how it’s been tested, approximate costs of materials (correct as of January 2017), case studies and recommendations.

 
Cow grazing in the sun - Bovine TB

Biosecurity progress report

This is a joint Defra-Welsh Government publication presented on behalf of the Government and industry partnership group (AHDB, Defra, Welsh Government, Landex, NFU, and BCVA). It evaluates the progress of the 2014 Biosecurity Action Plan and presents a new action plan targeting improving biosecurity.

The report contains 20 new actions based on stakeholder feedback on the 2014 Biosecurity Action Plan from a workshop conducted in 2017. These actions cover guidance and information resources; education and training; communications; policy; evidence; and data collection.

Better biosecurity has an important role to play in the eradication of TB as indicated in the Bovine TB Strategy Review.

Read the full biosecurity progress report