Badger Cull: Vets Relieved By No U-turn On TB Policy In England
11 years ago
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23rd October, 2012 14h12
Veterinary associations have welcomed news that there has been no u-turn on the Government’s policy to include badger culling as part of England’s TB eradication policy.
Defra Secretary of State Owen Paterson today announced that the proposed pilot culls, due to take place this autumn, will be postponed until next year due to logistical problems with the delivery this year.
The NFU has informed Defra that, in light of the new estimated badger populations in the pilot areas, it cannot be confident that it will be possible to remove enough badgers for the policy to be effective.
Mr Paterson confirmed that Defra is committed to taking forward the existing policy next year when all arrangements are in place.
Commenting, British Veterinary Association (BVA) President Peter Jones said:
“Although vets and farmers in the bovine TB endemic areas will be frustrated by the delay in implementing the pilot badger culls, we are relieved that Defra has firmly stated that there has been no change in Government policy.
“The science has not changed. Scientists agree that culling badgers does reduce the levels of infection in cattle herds, and we know that no country has dealt with bovine TB without tackling the disease in wildlife.
“However, the results of recent sett surveys to determine badger numbers in the pilot areas have led the NFU to conclude that at this stage it cannot be confident that it will be possible to remove enough badgers for the policy to be effective.
“It is vital that the delivery of a badger cull is both effective and humane. If the pilots cannot be delivered effectively this year then is it responsible to postpone until next year.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Government and farmers to ensure the policy can be successfully delivered next summer.
“In the meantime, we strongly welcome the stricter cattle control measures that were announced last week.”
Andrew Praill, President of the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA), said:
“While we are disappointed at today’s announcement we do understand the reasons behind the postponement of the pilot culls and we absolutely have to get the delivery right.
“It is important to remember that the pilots are based on the available science and are designed to ensure the policy can be delivered effectively, humanely and safely.
“Our long-term aim is to reduce the incidence of TB in cattle which will ultimately lead to eradication and although it is not likely that we will see significant evidence of this for some years we must get the process in place now so that it can be rolled out across the endemic areas.
“We are already working very hard to tackle the disease through cattle controls but alongside these activities we must also tackle the disease in wildlife.”
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