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Saving Geronimo
DEFRAs testing trial has been in hot water as Vet and Alpaca Breeder Helen MacDonald advocates to save Geronimo. Calls from animal campaigners internationally and nationally plead for further and more robust testing.
In Summary:
Geronimo was bought by his owner from a bTB negative farm and was imported to the UK by his Owner Helen. Geronimo was tested on a trial testing program by DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) and the BAS (British Alpaca Society). There are multiple elements taking place in this case as it is has received national interest, the personal bond between Geronimo and his owner as well as the validity of the trial.
The Trial of the Enferplex Test:
The problem with the trial. Now the test in itself may have a place in the sector to benefit cattle and alpacas. The issue is that there has been an issue with the test as part of the trial whilst they included various outcomes to rule out particular errors the problem, occurs with the circumstances of Geronimo. Even though he has been isolated and after coming from a TB free county the test conducted is showing a positive result but we should all be aware that this test is only a trial to see if it detects bTB in camelids as it does in cattle as well as the accuracy. The concern would be as with some of the errors currently found with TB testing post mortem is the only conclusive test identifying TB lesions but if Geronimo is healthy this is a senseless waste of life. This also poses a problem for the government and DEFRA as it would be a PR disaster. Now Geronimo has been vaccinated according to his owner which the tests used in the trial Enferplex would not be able to distinguish from him having the disease. This is where the problem lies for a trial the animal should not have been selected to begin with as there is nothing in the protocols to account for this. Now the backup of this type of test is to utilise the much-contested validity of the skin test which is also primarily used in the cattle which in itself has had its sensitivity questioned and found in camelids the accuracy is less than 20%.
Call for the Actiphage Test:
Now a testing method that does not utilise a method for detecting present antibodies and instead identified the presence of the disease itself is a far more sensible solution. The Actiphage test effectively highlights to the tester if the disease is present by giving a clear DNA signature under testing conditions from a blood sample taken from the subject. This would remove the risk that the animal simply has antibodies due to an immune response that has been supported by a vaccine. If the test proves that there is no TB present then what we effectively have is a case for a test that can be used to identify the status of an animal after the introduction of a vaccine. Then if animals test positive under this test they may be vaccinated but could also be reactors as they have the disease present and would effectively be suffering from the disease. This would offer an option to incorporate testing into a vaccine regime for both cattle and camelids as well as a lifeline for Geronimo.
In Conclusion:
The Actiphage test provides a new tool to potentially safeguard vaccinated animals like Geronimo as we move closer to vaccine trials this is invaluable. Whilst also protecting other stock animals as we measure the effectiveness of the test and validity. Geronimo is potentially paving the way to increase the calibre of the testing method applied in the UK and also offer crucial protection from euthanasia which many including myself feel is morally wrong and scientifically dubious without robust testing.
Sources and Further Reading:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9879245/Standoff-Geronimo-continues-alpacas-owner-demands-appropriate-bovine-TB-testing.html
https://www.fwi.co.uk/livestock/health-welfare/livestock-diseases/bovine-tb/farmers-and-vets-hope-alpaca-case-raises-bovine-tb-awareness
https://tbhub.co.uk/tb-in-non-bovine-animals/camelids/
http://apha.defra.gov.uk/external-operations-admin/library/documents/tuberculosis/TN191.pdf
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-58158054
https://1gov.uk/petition-to-save-condemned-alpaca-geronimo-secures-almost-80000-signatures/
https://www.bas-uk.com/british-alpaca-society-calls-for-urgent-talks-with-defra-amidst-fears-for-the-future-of-voluntary-btb-testing-in-the-uk/
https://tbhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Factsheet_gamma_test_TB_hub.pdf
https://tbhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Phage_factsheet_13.02.2020_TB_hub.pdf
Mind Your Head
With the importance of Agriculture to both the economy and our ways of life, we need to ensure that we look after its workers. This article focuses on the Mind your Head Campaign bringing awareness to mental health in farming and links to resources to help.
Further to my earlier article about mental health today marks the start of the Mind Your Head campaign.
The Yellow Wellies group rightly has highlighted some key points about farmers mental health. Now some issues which they have isolated would be challenging to control or resolve. Now whilst there are specific agricultural loans to help with the business or equipment needs this, unfortunately, is often at a great interest rate as well as which when coupled with other stressors. Some of these stressors can be highly varied from the direct impacts such as the financial impacts on the business to the secondary elements such as one which livestock farmers face. Livestock farmers often face increased opposition to both the changing diets of the masses that has caused abuse and heated debates on both sides. However, whilst both sides of the debate have valid points and passionate views only one directly impacts their livelihoods. Now whilst this debate will likely be on going for a number of years as it one about ideology. Some positives have been drawn from it alternatives to different movements such as Reganuary which puts a focus on a more sustainable form of agriculture. Now rather then discuss this movement in this article the reason for highlighting it, is that this is a way for the industry to champion better practice by highlighting innovations as well as supporting the local businesses. This can also be seen with concerns between farmers and others who use the countryside or visit farmers lands. With an increased amount of walkers in the countryside farmers can be drawn into conflict when dogs are off lead distressing stock. If the stock animals are distressed or attacked by the dog the farmer has the right to shoot the dog but this can be deeply distressing either by seeing the damage a dog can do to the stock or through shooting the dog. Neither is an option that the farmer wants to pursue however it is something which does often happen with a lack of understanding of the environment.
Now when looking at stress in farmers it is important that all actions are taken to reduce stress. Finding people to talk with whether that be online or those in local support group by engaging in conversation and offloading some of the stress recognising they are not alone. Making sure that those that work on farms especially for those whose lives and work focus on the land need somewhere else to focus such as going off site, exploring a hobby or a trip. Making sure you also take the chance to regularly exercise and follow a suitable routine.
Now campaigns such as Fit to Farm also highlight characteristics about the various roles which are often not explored. The working hours which farmers often do can be up to 65 hours per week this is comparable to the 56 hours per week doctors do. Now not all farmers have this type of working environment but for those who do it should be rightly recognised the pressures they face. Especially at busy periods like harvest where they are flat out for days and hours at end. Now because of working and living on site taking leave from your family farm can be a far flung fantasy for some it is not as simple as leaving your home for holiday for those who business needs require careful monitoring but are tied to a fixed location. Many entrepreneurs or professionals can take their work with them and therefore find some release this is arguably the same for large companies but a challenge for the small family farms. Now respondents to the survey by the Fit to Farm campaign have outlined areas they need help in would it not be the best time for the communities to rely around them and support their efforts.
We also need to remember what great resources we have available to support us and those within our community. YANA specifically targets mental health in farming whilst the Yellow Wellies looks at farm safety follow the links below to find out more about their work and how to support them. Together we Can.
http://yellowwellies.org/StressManagementBooklet_0319/StressManagementBooklet_0319/?page=23
Mental Health in Farming
With Mental Health Week coming a close it comes as the Mind Your Head campaign starts specifically looking at how farmers safety and Mental Health needs a specific focus.
With my articles over the last week, I have played close attention to Mental Health and specifically the impacts on isolation. Now, something which I want to focus on is isolated sectors in rural Suffolk. The isolated primary industry is that of farming. Agriculture is both an industry which has given me a great deal of opportunity and experiences.
Still, I would be remised if I said that you did not notice the effects of being disconnected from many outside of your farm. Now my experience was only brief, often seeing and visiting many farms which Faccenda Foods had ownership of or were contracting out their growing of broiler chickens. Now, although many of my experiences was visiting a variety of farms from large industrial sites with bungalows or living areas for the manager as well as maybe an assistant on-site, this was not often the case for smaller farms where the need for a second staff member on-site was not as justified fiscally. Now the farmers often had family members on the site where their kids and spouse often worked or studied offsite. The farmer primarily stayed on-site for the crop's duration, taking the odd day off throughout the six to seven-week cycle. When off relief staff would work on-site by travelling from other areas to cover the staff member temporarily, and when the site was being prepared for the next crop they would often take the opportunity to holiday away from the site. This chance to leave the area is usually not possible on the traditional farming business. When the land is not working or being prepared for work, it still needs management or other maintenance. Therefore this leaves the farmers working tirelessly for our communities year-round which is both a service and calling which many would not trade.
Now farming is quoted as having one of the worst safety records, which is exaggerated by the number of time farmers spend working in isolation. The larger farms will often see collaboration between owner and employee or generally between generations. Smaller sites are may be unable to justify offering work outside the family and if there is no one within the household to assist then the work can be more isolating. The long hours in the fields tied with the many hats they have to wear; mechanic, accountant, weatherman, and engineer. Now when your livelihood and to an extent your history is deeply rooted in your land, the looming financial uncertainty is a deep concern. With the risks around changes to income and direct payments changes looming post-Brexit, the stress can be too much for those with no one to talk again. This is why the work that charities such as YANA do is so valuable and the results of educators like myself to highlight these groups to the next generation is critical. The Mind Your Head campaign, which I will discuss later this week, needs to be shared and continually championed. After all, although we see shifts in our habits or dietary preferences and sometimes are attitudes, we need to remember the differences in our communities highlight them and ensure that we all continue to move forward together.