Badger cull supported by science, say vets

Veterinary associations have strongly welcomed the announcement by Defra that it is strongly minded to include a controlled cull of badgers as a key component of the bovine tuberculosis (TB) eradication plans for England.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and its specialist cattle division the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) have long supported the need to control TB in both cattle and wildlife, including the need for a targeted, humane cull of badgers in specific parts of the country.

Following a comprehensive consultation exercise (which closed in December 2010), Defra has today announced:

• A 9-week consultation on plans to license groups of farmers and landowners to carry out controlled culls of badgers in specific areas
• Ongoing cattle measures and planned measures, including reducing compensation where TB tests are overdue and removing some exemptions to pre-movement testing
• 20 million investment over the next five years to develop effective cattle and oral badger vaccines

The BVA and BCVA jointly responded to Defras 2010 consultation to say that the available science supported the case for a badger cull, alongside the need for stricter cattle control measures, in those areas where badgers are regarded as a significant contributor to the persistent presence of TB. The response also emphasised strongly that any cull of badgers had to be done in a humane and effective manner.

Todays announcement reveals that Defra has listened closely to the veterinary associations concerns. Through the consultation response the BVA and BCVA raised the important issue of the efficacy of an industry-led cull using controlled shooting (as opposed to cage trapping and shooting) and stated firmly that any cull must be monitored for humaneness. Both of these issues have been considered in depth by Defra and appear to have been addressed in the plans.

The BVA and BCVA will be looking closely at the detail of the guidance issued today and will be responding to the consultation.

Commenting, Harvey Locke, President of the BVA, said:

The BVA and BCVA have long argued for a targeted, humane badger cull to be used alongside stricter cattle controls. We believe that failure to tackle wildlife sources of TB infection has prolonged the presence and enhanced the spread of infection in all affected species populations.

We recognise that this is a very emotive and difficult decision but we believe that the science supports this policy and we support Defras commitment to tackling this devastating disease.

We are particularly pleased that this announcement has not been delayed until after the summer recess, which demonstrates the seriousness of the need to tackle TB.

John Fishwick, President of BCVA, added:

We welcome todays announcement which indicates that a humane and carefully targeted cull of badgers can contribute to the control of this dreadful disease.

We are particularly pleased that the veterinary professions concerns that any cull must be humane and well monitored appear to have been listened to and we will now study the proposals in detail.

An industry-led cull will be an enormous undertaking for everyone involved and it is vital that we get the detail right from the outset; for the sake of cattle, wildlife and industry.