Finally the Reality of Bovine TB gets the Airing it Deserves

"Cattle farmers across the country will be hoping that this news is the first real step towards removing a disease that has crippled the industry for a long time," said David Fursdon, CLA president in response to the findings in Sir David King's report that the need to manage and control the badger population is imperative to controlling this disease. 

"The CLA is not surprised by the findings from this report.  It only confirms what a wealth of scientific research, data and risk management worldwide has already told us and what farmers from direct experience see every day.  The existing strategy is clearly failing at an alarming rate with a continued and consistent rise in Bovine TB. 

"The need to manage and control the badger reservoir is imperative, particularly in hotspot areas. It is central not only to the control and eradication in cattle but also to the conservation of wildlife species. 

"The Independent Scientific Group's report, conducted by Prof John Bourne was never truly independent, hamstrung as it was by its political mandate, which eliminated full consideration of wildlife control which has already been seen to be effective elsewhere.  

"The CLA would urge Ministers to act quickly and resolutely on Sir David King's recommendations. Livestock farmers are reeling from a series of diseases at present. They cannot control them on their own. There is no place for political compromise when attempting to control any of these diseases and Bovine TB is no exception.  An integrated approach, humane and scientific, is needed which can combine both cattle and badger control policies cost effectively," concluded David Fursdon.  

The full report is available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/pdf/badgersreport-king.pdf

Richella Logan – Head of Public Affairs

Richella, as Head of Public Affairs, is responsible for the CLA's political strategy and parliamentary lobbying.

Phone: 020 7460 7957
FAX: 020 7235 4696
Email richella.logan@cla.org.uk