Farmer hit by TB backs badger cull strategy

A farmer who could lose dozens of his cattle to bovine TB in the New Year is supporting the proposed culling of badgers.

Gordon Tully, Torbay's best-known cattle farmer, lost 21 of his herd to TB in November, and has been told he could well lose the same amount in January.He is backing a strategy being drawn up by vets and farmers across the South West to initiate the controlled culling of badgers, which are widely blamed for spreading bovine TB.

While any culling may be illegal, Ministers have implied that a clause in the Badgers Act might mean that licences to kill them for the purpose of halting the disease would not be refused.

Mr Tully said a huge shadow hangs over the remainder of the once 230-strong Waddeton herd on his farm between Paignton and Brixham.

He added: "I lost 21 in November, when my life altered completely - I was devastated - and the TB vet has told me a similar number could go next time, and the same again the time after that.