Issued by: Animal and Plant Health Agency

Work continues on a deployable cattle TB vaccine.

Field trials for a cattle vaccine and new skin test for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) are set to move to the next phase, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has announced today (February 27th), with interested farmers and veterinarians encouraged to volunteer and support the delivery of the project.

The next phase of the field trials (Phase 3), similarly to the previous two phases, will take place on commercial cattle farms in areas of England and Wales where there is a low incidence of bTB and are set to be completed in 2026/7.

Defra is working at pace on a revised TB eradication strategy in England to drive down TB rates to save cattle and farmers’ livelihoods. The new strategy will mark a significant step-change in approach to tackling this devastating disease and will also consider a range of further measures, including boosting cattle testing.

Partnership working is at the forefront of the TB Delivery Plan in Wales. The Wales TB Eradication Programme Delivery Plan (https://shorturl.at/UC0aP) outlines plans to eradicate TB in Wales by 2041.The Welsh Government recently announced a new Bovine TB Eradication Programme Board for Wales (https://shorturl.at/eioFB) which is the latest development in reaching the shared goal of a TB-free Wales.

The development of a cattle vaccine against bTB is at the forefront of global innovative solutions to help eradicate this disease. If this next phase is successful, this project will take us one step closer to a vaccine to be used in conjunction with other measures to tackle this insidious disease which impacts livestock farmers across the world.

Laboratory studies have indicated that the vaccine and DIVA skin test are safe and that the test performs well, under controlled APHA facility environments.

The CattleBCG vaccine can stimulate a protective immune response in vaccinated cattle. When coupled with the new Detect Infected amongst Vaccinated Animals (DIVA) skin test, the vaccine represents a significant advancement in bTB control that can contribute to further reducing the spread and impact of the disease in cattle herds.

Previous studies with vaccinated animals demonstrated significant protection against experimental challenge with high dose of bTB. As with other vaccines, a range of protection is expected, some animals will be fully or only partially protected after vaccination whilst others will remain susceptible to the disease. Recent international studies investigating the full extent of BCG protection in natural conditions found a total efficacy of 89%.

Phase 3 will involve gathering further information on the performance of the candidate companion DIVA skin test. This test will ensure that bTB infected cattle that are vaccinated will continue to be detected reliably among the vaccinated and disease-free animals, something which the currently used tuberculin test is not able to provide.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:

"Bovine tuberculosis has remained one of the most difficult animal disease challenges to tackle, causing devastation to farmers and rural communities.

"These trials and the active participation of farmers will help us in ensuring any new vaccine and testing approach is both effective and practical."

The Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Gavin Watkins, said:

"As we move forward with Phase 3 of this vital research, I would urge cattle keepers in Wales who have eligible cattle herds to contact APHA with a view to taking part."

Animal and Plant Health Agency Chief Executive Jenny Stewart said:

"The launch of this next phase of field trials marks a significant step forward in our aim to develop a viable and effective cattle TB vaccine.

"APHA scientists and field colleagues are at the forefront of tackling animal and plant disease outbreaks and this new phase will further our understanding of this disease.

"If you have a cattle herd that meets the inclusion criteria and are interested in taking part, please do contact us to be a part of this research."

Bovine TB (bTB) is one of the most difficult animal health challenges that the UK faces today and costs taxpayers in England around £100 million every year with an estimated further £50 million cost to the industry. Over 60,000 cattle in England and Wales were slaughtered during 2023/24 to tackle the disease.

If you are interested in taking part in this research project, and believe you have a cattle herd that meets the inclusion criteria listed on the and believe you have a cattle herd that meets the inclusion criteria listed on the TB Hub, please contact APHA by emailing TB.Advice@apha.gov.uk.

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