Bovine TB: 11 Looking ahead
11.0.1 The Group has worked to a demanding schedule over the last 18 months. The full Group convenes monthly, and sometimes more frequently, with sub-groups taking forward specific issues. Between meetings a great deal of preparatory work is done by members, the Secretariat and by MAFF and its agencies. Developments with the trial in particular have necessitated frequent, ad hoc attention. In addition, Group members have, with Ministers and officials, been taking the message of our approach out to interested parties and the wider public.
11.0.2 There is little sign of a lull in the near future, as we continue to advise on the implementation of the field trial and the wider research programme. However, with much of the programme in place, and TB99 being implemented successfully, we will be able to concentrate more on data analysis and the strategic direction of the programme for future years.
11.0.3 The trial establishment phase (by which we mean the enrolment of all the triplets required and the completion of initial proactive culling operations in all of them) will continue into 2001. We expect that by the end of 2000 seven triplets will have been subject to proactive culling operations, and the remainder enrolled into the trial.
11.0.4 Our overwhelming concern is to ensure that a scientifically rigorous understanding of the disease is established enabling us to advise on the development of sound policy options as quickly as possible. We will keep the research programme under constant review, and be on the alert for new technological developments which could facilitate our studies. We will continue to monitor progress with the trial, working on triplet selection and data analysis, as well as advising Government on any design or operational amendments which may be necessary.
On to Chapter 12
- Summary of the Group's Approach 
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Page last modified:
12 August 2003
Page published: 5 February 2003