NFU to launch bovine TB leaflet at Three Counties Show
A new educational leaflet that outlines the facts about bovine TB is to be launched by NFU West Midlands at the Three Counties Show on Friday.
Badgers and Bovine Tuberculosis: The Facts examines how the disease is transmitted between the two species, farming's view on pre-movement testing of cattle, the case for a cull of diseased badgers and the financial implications of the disease.
It is being launched to help explain to the public the NFU's stance on what is a sensitive and emotive issue.
The Government is due to announce a decision shortly on how it plans to tackle the disease following an extensive public consultation earlier this year.
The NFU wants the Government to introduce a targeted cull of diseased badgers at the earliest opportunity.
NFU West Midlands livestock board chairman David Morgan said that the leaflet would be distributed widely across the five counties of the West Midlands region.
"Farmers are taking the pain of pre-movement testing and reduced compensation but patience is wearing thin," said Mr Morgan, who farms at Peterchurch, Herefordshire.
"If we are ever going to get on top of TB, we have to tackle all aspects of the problem, and that means the Government grasping the nettle of wildlife controls, and doing it sooner rather than later.
"We are going to be sending the leaflet to land-based colleges, local authorities, politicians, young farmers clubs, NFU members, schools, libraries and veterinary surgeons as well as distributing them to the public at events.
"It has been approved by the British Cattle Veterinary Association and we feel it provides a balanced, factual assessment of the current situation."
The NFU has already said it would be prepared to assist in any cull and that a cull should be targeted as closely as possible at badger groups known to be infected and to be responsible for passing disease to cattle.
However, the precise details of any cull, and operational leadership, should be a matter for the State Veterinary Service, as only they have the necessary information and expertise.
