Bovine Tuberculosis Partnership

The Bovine TB Partnership contributes to setting strategic direction for the government’s bovine tuberculosis (bTB) eradication programme and plays a key role in co-designing new policies and communications.

Role of the group

The aim of the bTB Partnership is to encourage shared ownership, coordination and decision-making surrounding England’s 25-year bovine TB eradication strategy. The bTB Partnership replaces the Bovine TB Eradication Advisory Group for England (TBEAG).

Responsibilities

The Partnership will:

  • contribute to setting strategic direction of the bovine TB disease eradication programme, helping to identify priorities, and address specific opportunities, risks and issues, as an integral part of the bovine TB Programme’s governance
  • help set standards, monitor progress, and identify where new approaches might be needed
  • co-design potential new policies and communications
  • identify new evidence sources/requirements and ideas and captures wider views to inform discussion as needed
  • engage widely to advocate agreed bovine TB policy to a range of stakeholders
  • encourage the formation of and work closely with local groups and creates opportunities for stakeholders/local groups to work together. Regularly reviews how to improve local engagement and maximise the value of local groups
  • engage with developments in wider domestic agriculture policy (aware of and linked to sector wide initiatives that impact bovine TB control) – helping to build understanding of the potential implications for future disease control and helping to influence the design of future policy to benefit the goals of the bovine TB Strategy
  • provide expert advice and helps consider the practicalities of implementation in the policy making process

Terms of reference

Bovine TB Partnership: terms of reference (PDF, 135 KB, 2 pages)

Members

  • John Cross – Chair
  • Stephanie Young
  • Paul Westaway (High Risk Area)
  • David Barton (High Risk Area)
  • Chris Addison (Low Risk Area)
  • Professor Rosie Woodroffe
  • Dr Lindsay Heasman
  • Professor Gareth Enticott
  • Professor James Wood
  • Dr Jane Gibbens
  • Professor Rowland Kao
  • Sarah Tomlinson
  • Kate Bowen

Member organisations:

  • National Farmers Union
  • British Veterinary Association
  • British Cattle Veterinary Association
  • Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
  • Animal and Plant Health Agency
  • Natural England

Full details, including biographies are in our Bovine TB Partnership members biographies (PDF, 129 KB, 7 pages) document.

Contact details

btbpartnership@defra.gov.uk