Vets back badger cull to control bTB

CULLING badgers is necessary to control the spread of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in certain parts of England, according to the British Veterinary Association.

The disease is not a problem in Scotland and any cattle imported from "hot spots" in England and Wales must be tested prior to movement then isolated on arrival and tested again.

However, bTB has reached epidemic proportions in England with every prospect of at least 30,000 cattle having to be culled this year. Unless urgent action is taken, that total could soar to over 40,000 head by 2015 with the government having to compensate farmers, albeit at a relatively modest level.

Badgers are generally seen as being an important vector of bTB, but Whitehall has shown a reluctance to countenance any widespread cull. However, BVA president Nicky Paull has called for an urgent policy reappraisal. "The disease has an unacceptable impact on animal health and welfare and has the potential to be a risk to public health," she said. "Yet, the current strategy for dealing with it is inadequate.

"Where I practice in Cornwall vets and farmers are desperate for effective measures to help us get on top of this inexorable disease. The BVA believes that humane, targeted and managed culling of badgers in some areas will be necessary if we are reverse the increasing prevalence of bTB."

The UK government has allocated 20 million towards research into the development of a vaccine. However, it is widely believed that an oral badger vaccine will not be available before 2014 with an injectable product unlikely to emerge by at least 12 months later.