Dyfed Smallholders' Association

The Welsh Assembly government would like to advise cattle farmers that there have been a number of cases where feeding young calves a colostrum substitute imported from canada has resulted in animals testing positive for enzootic bovine leukosis (ebl).

EBL is a notifiable viral disease of cattle and some infected cattle develop tumours. Great Britain is currently classified by the European Union as EBL-free. Routine blood testing of calves on three different farms in 2009, including one in Wales, revealed positive EBL results. Investigations have indicated that these positive results are not the result of natural EBL infection but were due to feeding the calves a colostrum substitute containing EBL antibodies. The colostrum substitute has the trade name Calf’s Choice Total and has been marketed in the UK as a supplementary source of colostrum for neonatal calves.
The product information sheet states that it is made from natural bovine colostrum and contains antibodies against a wide variety of common infectious organisms including the EBL virus. The information sheet also states that calves fed the product on day one of age may show a positive result if their blood is tested for these antibodies. No direct animal health risk is associated with the use of this product, which has been imported under regulations that require the colostrum to be heat treated in a way that will readily inactivate the EBL virus. Current investigations indicate there is no risk of infection.
However, use of the product does have implications for individual farms because any positive result to a test for EBL triggers disease control restrictions – which may continue for several months – and investigations under the relevant legislation. Thorough investigation of herd status in such cases is essential in order to continue to demonstrate disease-free status. Imports of this product have been suspended whilst the situation is reviewed. for further information please contact your local animal Health office: Caernarfon: 01286 674144; Carmarthen: 01267 245400 or Cardiff: 02920 768500.