18/07/07
Shrewsbury & Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski, and chair of the
All Party Parliamentary Dairy Group will this week announce plans
for the All Party Group to asses the difficulties faced by farmers
over Bovine Tuberculosis.
The renewed efforts on this front come after the recent government
report that was less conclusive in its prescription over how to
deal with badgers in the spread of bTB than had been expected,
and puts much of the onus on farmers to act. In addition Mr Kawczynski
recently tabled a question over bTB in his own constituency county
of Shropshire. The results where startling.
The Parliamentary Question answered that in 2006 there where 149
new herd bTB incidents, compared to only 39 in 2000. This is over
a 280% increase in new incidents. Mr Kawczynski MP commented 'this
is not a sign that the governments current policy is working. Further
more it is of great concern that over these last six years the
incidents have increased so dramatically, this cannot be due to
farmers alone, as they are complying with the strict DEFRA regulations.'
He continued 'It is my understanding that Shropshire, and the
South West are hardest hit by the bTB outbreaks, but increasing
like this how long is it before it spreads further? A solution
has to be sought, and soon, that is more than just further regulations
on the cattle industry. As a result I will be looking into bTB
over the summer recess, and the APPG on Dairy Farming will be taking
a further look into the matter in the Autumn in direct relation
to the dairy industry, and lobbying the Government for action.'
Way Open for Effective Badger Control Strategies
MPs'
Dairy Group Welcomes Further Milk Price Success
Cull Options for TB Infected Badgers Must Be Examined Now
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