Data Analysis – CTS Links
Data on all active CTS Links between 2003 and 2008 in GB were combined with CTS movement data for an analysis of CTS Links and the holdings that comprise them. As can be seen in Figure 3a, the number of CTS Links classed as “Shared Facility” has increased dramatically with the number of links almost doubling between the start of 2003 and end of 2008. Furthermore, the number of links registered as “Additional Land” has also increased (Figure 3b), but shows substantial (seasonal) variation over time due to the transient nature of such links. At the start of 2008, there were approximately 17,500 active CTS Links involving just under 26,000 different holdings. Overall, the increase in linked holdings may well be a cause for concern in terms of disease spread, especially if Shared Facilities imply close and frequent contact between livestock from different holdings