A COW has been destroyed and more than a dozen others tested after bovine tuberculosis was discovered in the county.

The cow belonging to Sussex Wildlife Trust was at their site in Stedham Common and was discovered to be carrying TB following a routine test.

The animal was destroyed by officers from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) who are now investigating to establish the extent of the spread of the disease.

Approximately 17 animals on a farm in the Iping area, near Midhurst, are now undergoing tests suspected of carrying the disease.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency, a department of Defra, has set up restrictions around farms in the area while further testing is carried out.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Wildlife Trust said: “Regrettably, Sussex Wildlife Trust has had one positive reactor for Bovine TB in an animal at Stedham Common. “This was picked up in a routine test. The reactor animal was destroyed by Defra. Sussex Wildlife Trust has scrupulously followed exactly the same procedures as any other farmer and no fault has been found by Defra.

“The animal in question was deliberately sourced from a TB-free part of the country when it was acquired in 2007 and since then it was tested on at least five occasions and each of these tests were negative.”

The area near Midhurst is considered a “low risk” region for TB by Defra.

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: “Our Trading Standards team has been made aware by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) of a number of suspected cases of Bovine TB, and the team’s key role will be to step in if there is any movement of cattle not in compliance with any restriction zones put in place by the APHA.”

background

BOVINE tuberculosis is an infectious disease which affects cattle and other mammals.

It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium Bovis, which can also infect animals such as badgers, deer, goats, pigs and llamas.

There has been an increase in the number of cattle which have tested positive in the past three decades – with the majority in South West England.

East Sussex is designated a high risk area for the disease but volunteers are currently vaccinating badgers to reduce the possibility of outbreaks.