Following an open competition, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has awarded Eville & Jones the contract to run veterinary field trials of Cattle BCG vaccine and the companion DIVA (Detecting Infected amongst Vaccinated Animals) skin test.

We have brought together an experienced agricultural research and quality assurance team to deliver the project, which, if successful, may help in the eradication of bovine TB, by immunising cattle against the disease.

The group will work with APHA to confirm timelines and identify suitable herds for the field trials, scheduled to start across the UK in 2021. They will be conducted on behalf of Defra, the Welsh Government and Scottish Government, following more than 20 years of pioneering research into bovine TB vaccines and diagnostic tests.

Chief executive officer, Charles Hartwell, said: “I am delighted that Eville & Jones has been awarded the tender to undertake these groundbreaking vaccination trials and look forward to working closely with APHA to fulfil this vital work.”

Read about the bovine TB cattle vaccination programme in the APHA Science Blog.