This week the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir David King, announced his approval for a culling of badgers, in order to control the spread of bovine tuberculosis.
About 30,000 cattle die each year as a result of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), which as in humans is a respiratory and wasting disease, according the National Farmers' Union. Badgers and cattle can carry the disease for two years without showing any symptoms. "It is clear that badgers are a continued source of infection for cattle and could account for 40 per cent of cattle breakdowns in some areas," said Sir David.