FOLLOWING last week’s TB outbreak in Cumbria, there were positive test results for the dreaded disease on the island of Skye at the weekend.

The farmer affected by the incident didn’t wish to speak personally to the press, but offered a statement via NFU Scotland: "This is an extremely worrying and very difficult time for me. The cattle that tested positive on the farm have been slaughtered and further laboratory tests are now underway to see if they have TB.

“Waiting for those results is very stressful but I want to get to the bottom of this, get my herd restrictions lifted and get my TB-free status back as quickly as possible and I will work with the authorities to do that.”

A spokesperson for NFU Scotland added: “This is clearly a terrible time for our member and we ask the media to respect his privacy at this time. We are working with him and the authorities to ensure he gets the support and advice needed to help him get free of current herd restrictions.

“Thankfully, such TB cases remain rare. Scotland has achieved disease-free status for TB through a combination of routine testing of our herds; abattoir surveillance and pre- and post-movement testing of animals moving into Scotland from high risk TB areas in other parts of the UK.

“This regime identifies a small number of cases in Scotland each year but the number of cattle affected remains low, allowing us to keep our valuable TB-free status.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The outbreak on Skye is just one of the low number of outbreaks that occur periodically in Scotland. TB in this herd was identified following application of a routine herd test undertaken as part of Scotland’s TB controls.

“As in usual in such cases, and to prevent any spread of disease, the herd is currently subject to movement restrictions and will remain so until considered free of the disease. Further testing of the herd is being undertaken and a veterinary investigation into the likely source of infection is underway.

“With regard to the Cumbria outbreak we are monitoring developments," added ScotGov. "There is no evidence to suggest that this outbreak is affecting Scotland and our robust surveillance and control measures for bovine TB continue to apply.”