VET’S CORNER Badger cull debates lacking in facts

HE heat has been turned up this week in the debate about badger culling to aid the control of Bovine TB in high risk areas. TB continues to cost individual farmers and the country as a whole a heavy financial burden with the numbers of cases continuing to rise. Figures from 2017 put the cost to taxpayers associated with TB control at £100m with over 33,000 infected cattle being slaughtered.

The pro-cull and the anti-cull lobbies have become deeply entrenched and there is a deep seated suspicion that the other side are using poorly supported facts and science to support their stance. Whichever side of the debate you instinctively fall on, the lack of clear reliable fact in the debate is generally unhelpful and needs to be addressed urgently.

The “pro” cull lobby site the high level of bovine TB infection discovered in badgers at post mortem. They also look to use a decrease in recorded cases in several of the High Risk areas where the cull is being undertaken.

The “anti” lobby site the in-humanity of culling an indigenous wild animal. They speak of the problem being caused by farmers frequently buying and selling cattle and poor biosecurity. They also point out that one of the High Risk areas where the badger cull has been exercised has actually seen an increase in cattle with TB rather than a decrease.

As Vets, we are engaged in the testing and monitoring of TB on behalf of DEFRA. The current test involves the administration of a very small quantity of inactivated avian and bovine TB then comparing the skin reaction a few days later. The test involves measuring the thickness of the skin before and after the injections to see if a reaction develops. The test is performed more frequently in cattle in geographical areas that are deemed High Risk.

There are however concerns at the accuracy of the test with some groups quoting nearly 100 % accuracy but others suggesting that it may only be successful in picking up 50% of cases.

Fortunately, Yorkshire is a low risk area for TB however Cheshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are considered to be Intermediate Risk so there is absolutely no room for complacency.

Yet another good reason to support your local farming community and buy locally produced produce whenever possible.