Urgency for Andalusia to Act Against Wildlife Tuberculosis

The Savia Foundation has approached the Andalusian Ministry of Agriculture regarding the lack of effectiveness in the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Plan, which has been in place for nearly 40 years. 

Despite efforts, Andalusia still reports a high prevalence of 6.57% positive herds, one of the highest rates in Spain. A decade ago, the foundation had already highlighted this issue due to bureaucratic burdens and the need to cull a significant number of animals. They attribute the plan's failure largely to inadequate control of wild fauna such as wild boars and deer, which are major tuberculosis reservoirs. 

The foundation underscores that Andalusia accounts for 30% of positive herds and 40% of animal culls in Spain but only has 6% of bovine farms and 8% of the national census under the eradication program. They urge for a shift from eradication to comprehensive wildlife control.