Taking the pulse of organic animal health
What is the organic way forward on TB in cattle? Is vaccination an acceptable organic tool? What is positive health?
Leading vets, organic farmers, researchers and advisers gathered in Oxford (June 2nd and 3rd) to debate these issues against a backdrop of Bluetongue fears, rampant TB and continuing avian influenza, alongside apparent official inertia and indifference.
A recurring theme of the two days was vaccination – from its routine, multiple use in organic poultry to prophylactic applications against serious, exotic diseases such as H5N1 avian influenza.
The lack of national progress in tackling TB in cattle (on organic and conventional) herds was another key topic where delegates called for fresh focus and redeployment of resources.
