We must have all options at hand for us to control TB

NFU vice-president Stuart Roberts responds to the Government’s TB eradication strategy update.

MORE than 33,000 cattle were slaughtered last year in England because of devastating tuberculosis and more than 3,800 farms that had previously been clear of the disease were affected by it.

The NFU has always supported a comprehensive and proportionate eradication strategy, which balances disease control measures with business sustainability.

We must have every option available to us to tackle BTB – including cattle testing, cattle movement restrictions, biosecurity advice, vaccination and control of the disease in wildlife.

The news that data from the original two cull areas has shown a reduction in new outbreaks of BTB compared with before culling began will be welcomed by farmers who are facing a daily struggle against this disease.

The NFU has always believed the evidence after four years of culling would demonstrate that culling badgers would have a positive impact in controlling the spread of the disease in cattle in areas where it is rife.

This is what the Randomised Badger Culling Trial – the largest scientific trial of its kind – showed.

The Chief Vet has said that taking comprehensive action to prevent BTB infection of cattle from the reservoir of disease in local badger populations is an essential part of the Government’s 25-year strategy to eradicate the disease in England and proactive badger control is currently the best available option to do this.

She has also said the licensing of further areas is necessary to realise disease control benefits across England, in conjunction with all necessary cattle measures.

We welcome the fact that