The NFU has reiterated its commitment to working with Defra to eradicate bovine TB and welcomed moves to DNA-tag cattle testing positive for the disease.
The move comes after alleged evidence of fraud emerged from an investigation instigated by Gloucestershire Trading Standards, which reviewed TB cattle sent to two slaughterhouses.
Defra has said that evidence is emerging that some cattle farmers in the South West and the Midlands have been swapping cattle ear tags and retaining TB-positive animals in their herds and sending less productive animals to slaughter in their place.
NFU President Peter Kendall said "I am deeply concerned by this emerging evidence. If there is any proven unlawful activity then I unequivocally condemn any behaviour involving the deliberate switching of the identity of animals following a positive TB test. It is simply wrong.
"While we have not seen the substantive detail of the case it is likely there could be prosecutions arising from the work undertaken by Gloucestershire Trading Standards and Defra, so I cannot comment about these cases directly.
"However, I do know that TB is one of the major challenges facing the NFU. I have talked to many members over the past few years whose businesses have been devastated by TB. Against this background I am really struggling to understand why farmers would undertake the sorts of activities being highlighted.
"In my discussions with farmers I have seen nothing other than an overwhelming commitment and desire to want to get this dreadful disease under control. That is why we are putting in an enormous amount of time and effort to developing an effective eradication plan.
"What is clear is that we must focus on the future. I am pleased that safeguards have been put in place immediately to stop this sort of thing happening again and I welcome the DNA tagging by Animal Health."
