Biting the bullet on badger cull

Published on Wednesday 13 February 2008 21:29

THERE is every prospect of a major row between farmers and a wide range of environmental organisations following an independent report by the Royal Society linking the growing incidence of bovine tuberculosis to badgers.

TB has now reached an epidemic situation in some parts of England and Wales causing farms to be locked up for weeks. Tens of thousands of cattle slaughtered each year are being compensated at a very basic level, frequently way below their true worth, especially if they are from pedigree herds. During 2007 over 25,000 cattle were culled in England as a result of TB.

The report concludes that up to 75 per cent of the outbreaks are caused as a result of contact with infected badgers while only 16 per cent are put down to movements of cattle. This is in stark contrast with the claims of the Badger Trust and others who have alleged that movements of cattle are the principal cause.

To date all calls for a cull of badgers have been resisted, but this must change according to Meurig Raymond, vice-president of the NFU of England and Wales, who argues that Hilary Benn, the UK environment secretary, has no option other than to initiate a cull of badgers.

Raymond said: "We have always argued that in the TB hot spot areas, which account for the vast majority of outbreaks, far and away the biggest cause of disease spread was coming from badgers.

"This report confirms our view. We are, of course, prepared to consider further cattle controls, especially to prevent the spread of disease into new areas, but this report suggests that the current regime is ineffective.

"The message for Mr Benn is clear – only by targeting infected badgers will you ever get on top of this pernicious disease, and the sooner you do it, the better."

TB is not a problem in Scotland as all cattle from infected areas in England are tested and quarantined prior to movement.

But such measures take no account of the dangers posed by badgers, which roam freely.