‘No option’ but to accept badger cull – NBA chief

Mar 28 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

A NORTHUMBERLAND farmers’ leader says the Govern- ment has “no other op- tion” but to accept plans for a badger cull to tackle TB among cattle.

Duff Burrell, chairman of the National Beef Association, has given his support to a project developed to remove badgers over an area of 800 square kilometres in the South West.

More than 1,200 farmers have joined with vets in the area with a view to controlling TB in cattle in North West Devon, North Cornwall, West Cornwall, South Devon and West Exmoor.

Mr Burrell said: “The South West region has put a huge effort into the TB policy during the last six months and placed a very good partnership offer in front of the Secretary of State.

“The effort in the South West should be rewarded and I believe it leaves the Government no option other than to embrace it.”

The Efra Select Committee, chaired by MP Michael Jack, has spent the last eight months assessing the recommendations of the Independent Scientific Group to the Government on how best to tackle the problem of TB.

In 2007, new outbreaks of the disease exceeded 4,000, resulting in the slaughter of more than 28,000 cattle.

The ISG concluded that badger culling could make a contribution but questioned whether it could be practically achieved.

But Mr Burrell, of Alnwick, Northumberland, is confident that such an approach would yield results.

He said TB would remain a big issue for years to come, but if they maintained their momentum and executed the plan then cattle businesses could look forward to operating without the debilitating burden of TB restrictions on their backs.

The project, which goes under the title VLA9, was founded by Bill Harper, NBA TB secretary chairman, alongside other members of the NBA and the National Farmers Union.

Its target was to demonstrate to Defra the extent of the support for badger culling aimed at reducing levels of TB in cattle and badgers until vaccines become available.

The NBA is keen to roll out the project in other areas which could be considered TB “hotspots” and hopes that farmers in such areas will form groups.

They are also optimistic that a Government’s decision will be made in the near future. An outcome from the EFRA review is imminent and the ministerial decision will follow shortly after.

The move towards badger culling has also been supported by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) but concerns have been raised by the RSPCA.

Bosses say independent studies have advised against culling and a better way forward would be to improve testing and biosecurity.

John Rolls, RSPCA director of animal welfare promotion, said: “Any attempt at badger culling flies in the face of sound scientific judgment.”

The NBA are urging anyone willing to act as a parish leader in TB hotspots to get in contact and add momentum to the project. Bill Harper can be reached through the NBA office on (01434) 601005.