Industry breathes sigh of relief as progress is made against bovine TB
NFU President Peter Kendall has expressed relief on behalf of the farming industry following today’s bovine TB announcement by Defra Secretary of State Caroline Spelman.
Ministers have agreed a package of measures to tackle TB which will include a carefully managed and science-led policy of badger controls. A nine-week stakeholder consultation on its delivery will now begin, to end on September 19.
NFU President Peter Kendall said: "I join with farmers up and down the country today in breathing an enormous sigh of relief that the Government has shown leadership in tackling this terrible disease. This has never been about eradicating badgers; this is about eradicating disease. Today is a massive step forward and I thank Defra and the Secretary of State for the painstaking work that has gone into making what has been, I’m sure, a very tough decision in the face of not inconsiderable opposition.
"Sometimes we have to do what is unpopular because we know it is right. Not taking action is no longer an option and the Government has recognised that. As the most recent science shows badger controls are absolutely necessary, together with cattle controls, to get on top of this devastating disease.
"For our part, the farming industry is ready and able to work responsibly with the Government. We have planned and are fully prepared to put in place self-financing groups; ones that meet the legal and scientific requirements of the Independent Scientific Group trials. We take the challenges of a badger cull extremely seriously and we recognise that any work needs to be monitored closely. We will fully cooperate with that monitoring work. This is not going to be a quick fix and we’re prepared for that.
"We understand there will be some people who are unhappy at today’s decision and we take those views very seriously. But we believe that no-one wants to have a situation where we have long-term infection and diseased animals in our countryside and on our farms. The NFU has commissioned an independent survey which plainly shows that once people understand the clear connection between badgers, cattle and the continued infection of bovine TB, the majority do support effective badger controls.
"Controlling TB in the areas identified by Natural England that have high and persistent disease levels will help to save cattle and ensure that other areas of the country, currently without TB, remain disease-free. That has to be in everyone’s best interests."
