20/06/07
The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) has urged DEFRA, in the
light of the final report of the Independent Scientific Group
(ISG) on cattle TB, to examine with the farming industry how
a cost effective and practical cull of TB infected badgers could
be conducted.
|
TFA Chief Executive George Dunn said, “Having looked at
the report of the ISG and heard the presentations from the scientists
and other’s represented on the ISG at today’s open
meeting in London, it is clear that there is irrefutable evidence
that TB infected badgers are a significant contributor to TB in
cattle. This is despite the best efforts of some within wildlife
lobby groups that have sought to argue that TB is a cattle only
problem. We must conclude, therefore that attempting to control
TB in cattle with cattle restrictions alone, without any intervention
with infected wildlife, we will not solve the TB problem”.
The ISG has concluded that wide scale, intensive culling of infected
badgers over a long period of time will have a significant benefit
in terms of reducing TB in cattle but has expressed concerns about
increases in infection on the edges of the culling areas due to
the pattern of badger movements in those areas.
“What we must do is define cull areas to minimise these edge
effects by ensuring that they are bordered by geographical features
such as roads, rivers and the sea to stop badgers from moving in
and out of the culling areas. What we must not do is use the problem
as a justification for doing nothing to control TB in badgers” said
Mr Dunn.
The TFA has however criticised the economic analysis carried out
by the ISG.
“The weakest part of the ISG’s work is the economic
analysis of culling strategies and there is a danger that headline
figures based on rocky assumptions will be used to justify the ‘do
nothing’ approach. Of course we need a sound economic basis
for any policy but it must be carried out on a more informed basis.
The ISG’s work undervalues the cattle slaughtered and ignores
important factors such as replacement costs particularly for animals
of high genetic merit and of organic status, the costs associated
with long-term business shut down and the human costs which, whilst
difficult to assess, must be part of the analysis. The economic
work must be redone quickly alongside a detailed analysis of the
most cost effective and efficient method of culling infected badgers” said
Mr Dunn.
NFU reacts to ISG Bovine TB report findings
Badger culling is meaningless, report scientists
Badger Trust Warns Vet's Evidence Based on Anecdote
|