Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, Adrian Sanders, has voiced his strong opposition to Government proposals to allow badger culling to go ahead.
If adopted the proposals could see culling in Devon and Cornwall in the near future. Mr Sanders has echoed fears that the evidence does not support culling and that the Government is simply seeking the least expensive route to give the impression action is being taken.
The previous Government shelved plans for a cull in favour of a widespread vaccination programme for badgers, to eliminate once and for all the reservoir of Tuberculosis. They took this decision following a lengthy scientific study, which revealed that badger culling rarely reduced the rate of Tb in cattle and that there were many other factors that increased the likelihood of cattle contracting Tb.
The Government has not yet firmly decided what action to take and Adrian is urging member of the public to respond to the open consultation, which closes on 8th December, to make their views known.
Adrian said: “In the Coalition agreement, it was stated that the Government would take an evidence based approach to the problem of Tb. The evidence so far points to the fact that culling does not solve the problem and if not handled well, actually exacerbates it.”
“The Government’s approach is clearly a cost cutting exercise; it could fight to alter the trade barriers that prevent vaccinated cattle being exported and it could invest in a vaccination programme for badgers. Sadly though it is just outsourcing solving the problem to individual farmers, who ultimately will be shouldered with the cost of carrying out any cull.”
“I would urge anyone who feels the Government should do this differently to respond to the consultation here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/tb-control-measures/index.htm”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The comprehensive report of the Independent Scientific Group can be found here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/tb/isg/report/final_report.pdf
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