Report: Economic Impact of Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) in the United Kingdom

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a significant concern for the United Kingdom’s agricultural sector, with profound economic implications. This report aims to provide a concise overview of the economic impact of bTB, highlighting the financial burdens imposed on farmers, the industry, and the wider economy.

  1. Losses in the Agricultural Sector: The presence of bTB leads to substantial economic losses within the agricultural sector. These losses stem from various factors, including reduced productivity, increased management costs, and animal culling. It is estimated that bTB-related costs in the UK agricultural industry amount to approximately £100 million per year.
  2. Testing and Treatment Expenses: The government and farmers invest significant resources in testing and diagnosing bTB cases and implementing subsequent treatment measures. The costs associated with testing, laboratory analysis, veterinary services, and medication can place a considerable financial strain on individual farmers. Farmers spend approximately £3,000 to £6,000 per reactor animal.
  3. Compensation and Animal Value: Compensation payments provided to farmers for losing animals affected by bTB contribute to the overall economic impact. Compensation amounts vary based on animal value, market prices, and regional considerations. The compensation paid to farmers for each reactor animal can range from £750 to £1,500 and does not include the lifetime value estimation of the animal.
  4. Trade Restrictions and Market Access: The presence of bTB can lead to trade restrictions imposed by other countries, affecting the UK’s ability to export livestock and animal products. These trade limitations result in reduced market access and potential loss of revenue for the agricultural industry. The economic impact of trade restrictions due to bTB is estimated to be tens of millions of pounds annually.

Bovine tuberculosis exerts a significant economic burden on the United Kingdom’s agricultural sector. The costs associated with testing, treatment, compensation, and trade restrictions have substantial implications for farmers, the industry, and the overall economy. It is essential to address and combat bTB effectively through comprehensive testing, control measures, and research into vaccination. By mitigating the economic impact of bTB, the UK can foster a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector while safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods and ensuring food security for the nation.

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Prof. Ruth Massey, B.A. (mod), PhD – Chief Scientific Officer

Ruth has a bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences and a PhD in Molecular Microbiology from Trinity College Dublin. She has worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the UK at both the Universities of Oxford and Bath.

Her first independent position as Principal Investigator was in the Zoology Department in Oxford, where she set up her first lab, which subsequently moved to Bath in 2007. In 2017 Ruth moved to the University of Bristol and, in 2019, was promoted to Professor of Microbial Pathogenicity.

Ruth and her research team have been working on developing the testing processes described here for the past seven years, and she is now translating this for use in several clinical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural settings.

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Dr. Marcia Boura, BSc, MSc, PhD – Head of Development

Marcia has a background in clinical diagnostics, having worked in a hospital laboratory and completed an MSc in Emergent Infectious Diseases before commencing her PhD in Microbiology, at the University of Reading.

After completing her PhD she worked as the Senior Research Scientist in the team developing rapid molecular diagnostic tests. She led the development of a crops diagnostic test from conception through to field trial, before moving on to develop the technology for use in the human and veterinary clinical diagnostics sector.

Marcia’s experience of diagnostic test development for infectious diseases allows her to lead the scientific research within MicroDetect with focus and confidence.

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Tamryn Hassel, BSc, MBA – Business Management

Tamryn holds an MBA from the University of Bath. She has worked for over 16 years in the quality sector of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, putting her in a unique position to understand the challenges associated with working in a highly regulated environment and how to validate scientific methodologies to meet regulatory requirements. She was initially involved in developing the rapid test methodology before refocusing on her consultancy businesses which continue to operate with great success. 

With her proven track record in the setting up and successful running of businesses, she is responsible for the strategic and operational management of the business. 

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