The Country Channel produces a Documentary about Badgers and the Transmission of Bovine TB in Britain

The Country Channel has completed a documentary about Bovine Turboculosis (TB) in Britain with input from the National Farmers Union (NFU). This programme, called ’Bovine TB – The Countryside in Crisis’, investigates the spread of Bovine TB in the British countryside and the involvement of badgers as a probable source for the transmission of the disease. The documentary considers the political context and current scientific knowledge surrounding the debate and explores possible solutions to the growing problem of Bovine TB in Britain.

This production not only highlights the devastating physical effects that TB has on badgers and cattle, but also outlines the consequential economic and emotional pressures experienced by farmers and their families as a result of Bovine TB.

In order to give a balanced account of the debate, surrounding TB transmission between cows and badgers, the Country Channel interviewed a variety of sources. These included numerous dairy farmers adversely effected by Bovine TB, NFU President Peter Kendall, Paul Griffiths of the TB eradication group, vet Andrew Biggs from the TB advisory group, Sarah Brown CEO of Farm Crisis Network, Jack Reedy of the Badger Trust, and Dr John Gallager, a retired government veterinary scientist and TB advisor who has studied the spread of Bovine Tuberculosis for over thirty years. The potential solutions and methods for tackling the crisis are explored including the possibility of culling and vaccinating infected badgers.

Paul Aitken (Country Channel CEO) said: "It is time that the authorities did something about the spread of Bovine TB – It is a communicable disease and unless there is a will to really control the problem the human cost will be tragic"

The production is available for preview on My Channel Sky 171 on Tuesday 22nd September and Thursday 24th September at 05.30, 12noon and 19.00. The programme will also be available for public viewing online at The Country Channel as free-to-view video-on-demand at www.countrychannel.tv. Advanced press viewing is currently available at www.countrychannel.tv/bovine_tb