MPs back limited badger cull to reduce spread of cattle TB

MPs have backed limited badger culls to help reduce the spread of cattle TB after concluding that the government's current strategy is not working.

The environment, food and rural affairs committee (Efra) report into cattle TB says the strategy of surveillance, testing and slaughter is not effective.

Cattle TB is an infectious disease that is one of the biggest animal health problems facing farmers today. Badgers carrying the disease are held responsible for encouraging the spread of TB.

The number of infected cattle has been doubling every four and a half years and Efra says the resulting cost to taxpayers and farmers is unsustainable.

It is estimated that cattle TB could cost as much as £1 billion between now and 2013.

After considering the Independent Scientific Group (ISG) report on cattle TB, the committee said there is no simple solution that will control cattle TB and calls for the government to adopt a multi-faceted approach to tackle the disease.

This includes more frequent testing; the evaluation of post-movement cattle testing; and the use of badger and cattle vaccines when they become available in the future.

The MPs argue that in some "well-defined" circumstances culling could make a contribution towards the reduction in cattle TB in 'hotspot' areas.

But it says "patchy, disorganised or short-term culling could make matters worse" and states that no application for a culling licence should be approved by Natural England without scrutiny to ensure that it complies with the conditions set by the ISG.

The RSPCA has reacted with dismay to the committee's recommendations, saying that "any attempt at badger culling flies in the face of sound scientific judgement".