Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that occurs throughout the world and affects many different species. It affects farm livestock, wildlife and also humans.
PBD Biotech has developed Actiphage®, a blood test that provides early detection of TB and accurate identification of the strain of mycobacteria.
Actiphage supports effective disease management and many groups with an interest in responsible animal health and welfare are contacting PBD Biotech to discuss how it can benefit their sector.
One such group is First Venison, a British producer group cooperative supplying quality assured farmed venison produced to the highest standards of husbandry and welfare.
Another benefit of Actiphage is that it requires minimal handling of the deer, unlike the conventional TB skin test which uses an immune reaction to indicate that an animal has been infected and therefore requires a follow-up visit by the vet.
First Venison represents the only dedicated supplier group for prime venison in the UK, with a sole purpose of securing the best routes to market and capturing the maximum and most sustainable market value for its members.
Dr Cath Rees, chief scientific offer at PBD Biotech, has been invited to talk to the First Venison group at their annual AGM, held at the JCB World Headquarters on Wednesday, 18 September 2019.
The title for the presentation will be ‘Actiphage testing for MAP and bovine TB in deer – update on progress and legislative framework’.