Look behind TB headlines urges CLA

Responding to media reports that the UK government will not embark on a badger cull to tackle TB in cattle, the CLA in the North is urging everyone to think behind the headlines.

Douglas Chalmers, Director CLA North, said, "Once again in this debate I've heard arguments simply saying that badgers should be culled or that badgers shouldn't be culled.

"No one is calling for the destruction of all badgers. We simply need to take steps to control a terrible disease that is currently costing the British taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds, causes suffering in our dairy cattle, untold stress to their keepers and their families, and let's not forget the suffering to the badger population too.

"Both sides can quote science, but it has to be said that culls have been shown to be effective. Other European countries have had success by this method.

"Badger supporters will argue that badgers catch bovine TB from cattle. To them I would say that if bTB is found in a cow she is slaughtered and her entire herd closely monitored. The disease is continually being culled from our dairy animals, yet sick badgers are allowed to infect other badgers and more cows. A controlled cull should actually keep the badger population healthier.

"Mr Benn stated only on Monday that "the world is going to need a lot of farmers and a lot of food". Failing to allow a possible method of ending this scourge puts the future of many milk producers in jeopardy" concluded Mr Chalmers.