Bovine tuberculosis causes suffering in affected cattle and has major welfare and economic consequences for farming families, while the control program itself raises welfare questions.
Bovine TB creates multiple welfare dimensions. Clinical TB in cattle causes serious disease including respiratory symptoms, weight loss, and systemic illness before death. However, many test-positive cattle are slaughtered before developing clinical signs. Testing requires repeated handling and restraint. Farms under TB restriction may experience management challenges affecting remaining cattle welfare. The human welfare impact on farming families from repeated reactor slaughter is significant and may indirectly affect animal care standards during stressful periods. The policy controversy around badger culling adds a wildlife welfare dimension to an already complex situation.