photo courtesy of The Badger Trust

The Badger Trust today welcomed the government's commitment to improve TB testing for cattle which are the primary reservoir for the disease.

David Williams, chairman of the Badger Trust said: "The current TB testing regime misses around one-third of infected cattle. By introducing pre-movement testing for cattle and making wider use of the additional gamma interferon TB test the current rate of increase of TB in cattle should be rapidly reversed. However, the regime announced today is not nearly extensive enough. We know that large numbers of young cattle with the potential to transmit bovine TB are moved all over the country. They should also be pre-movement tested." The Badger Trust rejected claims by the NFU that "complete control" of badgers must be introduced.

Dave Williams said: "The results of the Krebs Trial show that badger culling can never be a part of a sane or viable bovine TB control strategy. Killing more badgers will only increase the ripple effect observed, in which badgers around the culling area acquire and spread infection further afield. The best policy for badgers is to leave well alone and allow them to form stable social groups and to develop natural immunity." Dave Williams added: "We welcome the announcement of a stakeholder forum to advice on TB policy. The success of this forum will depend on having an independent chair with no previous involvement in the bovine TB issue. However, we are disappointed that the government has not announced the introduction of an advisory body on TB scientific policy, as recommended twice by Defra's science advisory council. Such a body should be created forthwith reporting directly to ministers - not to the Chief Veterinary Officer. A science advisory body must be in place to comment on any further strategies to control bovine TB"

For further information, contact: Trevor Lawson 01494 794961 / 07976 262388

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