Dr Mynott says that NFU always focuses on the transmission of bovine TB from badgers to cattle (Mercury, March 10).
Dairy and beef farmers abide by a strict regime of cattle testing for bovine TB, including pre-movement testing; badgers have free range over the countryside, so badgers carrying bovine TB will infect both cattle and each other.
However, an issue that no-one can debate is the awful pain and suffering that TB-infected badgers must go through.
They have no vets to treat them and unlike cattle that show a positive in regular testing, they are left to live the rest of their lives with this awful disease.
With no immediate prospect of a vaccination for either wildlife or cattle, why should animals of whatever species be left to die a painful death Alison Pratt, National Farmers’ Union, East Midlands.