Dairy industry unites to tackle Johne’s disease

Thursday 18 February 2010

DAIRY industry groups, veterinary experts and farmers’ leaders met for the first time recently as part of an industry initiative to fight Johne’s disease.

The Action Group on Johne’s brought together representatives from every part of the dairy industry. The group intends to meet intensively over coming months to co-ordinate a more effective response to controlling Johne’s in the dairy herd.

Dairy UK Technical Director Ed Komorowski, who chaired the meeting, said: "The momentum for the Action Group came out of a conference we held in December. The enthusiasm of delegates showed that there was enormous appetite in the industry to co-ordinate action against Johne’s.

"I believe the best way of doing this is through partnership with other industry bodies, such as the NFU and DairyCo, and by tapping the expertise of vets, milk laboratories and farmers themselves. This week’s meeting confirms that the industry is right to be trying to tackle this together."

Farmers Forum Chairman Roger Evans said: "By taking a whole industry approach, the Johne’s Action Group hopes to co-ordinate a range of disparate activity, establish best practice and develop a strategy to communicate this to farmers. Together, I hope we can reduce the heavy emotional and financial toll of this disease on farmers."

Background information on Dairy UK website