CASES of Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) have been discovered in Tynedale.

The North-East branch of the National Farmers’ Union and the Animal and Plant Health Association held a meeting in Otterburn last week in response to the outbreak in cattle on two farms in Northumberland, believed to be in the North Tyne.

Defra officials this week confirmed restriction zones had been placed around the farms as a statutory response following the confirmed cases of TB.

A spokeswoman said extra testing requirements of cattle on the farms was necessary to ensure the infection did not go undetected in other animals.

She said: “Bovine TB remains one of the greatest animal health threats to the UK, causing devastation for hard-working farmers and rural communities.

“That is why we are pursuing a range of interventions to eradicate the disease by 2038, including tighter cattle movement controls, regular testing and vaccination.”

Speaking after the meeting, Rachael Gillbanks, NFU North-East’s regional communications adviser, said: “There was a good turn-out to the meeting. The aim was to make sure farmers are fully up to date with the background, and learn how they can take precautions by talking to experts on the disease and how outbreaks are dealt with.”