FUW calls for halt on wasteful badger vaccination scheme
The Farmers’ Union of Wales has repeated its long standing call for a science led policy to control TB in wildlife after the Welsh Government suggested the abandoned badger vaccination pilot in north Pembrokeshire could restart in 2017. Ministerial advice provided to the Welsh Government in 2012 suggested vaccination in the north Pembrokeshire Intensive Action […]
Pregnant heifers culled in East Devon following TB tests
Twenty three heavily pregnant heifers from a closed East Devon organic herd have been culled after testing positive for TB during routine checks. The heifers were part of a 27-strong group belonging to the Clinton Devon Farms Partnership and were all due to give birth to their first calves within a matter of weeks. All […]
Badger persecution does not reduce bovine TB risk in cattle
Illegal persecution of badgers does not reduce infection risk of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in cattle and may play a role in maintaining epidemic hotspots according to researchers at Queen’s University Belfast. The Institute for Global Food Security collaborating with the University of Glasgow and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, found that illegal disturbance of badger […]
BVA calls for change to badger culling method and wider roll-out in England
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has called for the four-year culls of badgers in West Somerset and West Gloucestershire to be completed using the ‘tried and tested’ method of cage trapping and shooting only. In light of the results from two years of culling in the two pilot areas, BVA has concluded that it can […]
Big rollout planned for badger jab project
The MP who instigated the first community led badger vaccination programme in the UK, Andrew George, heralded the first pilot year of the badger vaccination programme in West Cornwall a great success. Mr George initiated the badger vaccination project in partnership with the Zoological Society of London last year, Mr George and ZSL’s Professor Rosie […]
FUW welcomes private vet involvement in TB testing
The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed deputy farming and food minister Rebecca Evans’ announcement that private vets will remain at the heart of TB testing procedures in Wales. Two “Delivery Partners” have successfully tendered for TB testing in Wales – Menter a Busnes in North Wales and Iechyd Da (Gwledig) Ltd in South Wales. […]
Testing for Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) is more effective than badger culls at controlling the disease
Modelling produced by researchers at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) has found that the only effective potential Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) control strategies are badger culling, cattle testing, controlling cattle movement, and ceasing the practice of housing farm cattle together during winter. The modelling found that in a region containing about 1.5m cows of which […]
British Veterinary Association welcomes launch of Badger Edge Vaccination Scheme
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) welcomes the launch of the Badger Edge Vaccination Scheme (BEVS) announced today as part of the overall strategy to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in England. Commenting, BVA President Robin Hargreaves said: “BVA welcomes the Secretary of State’s announcement of Government support for badger vaccination projects in the edge areas separating […]
Princess is wrong to back badger gassing
Reports that Princess Anne would back the gassing of badgers, rather than shooting, as part of a cull to reduce bovine TB have caused outrage and disappointment. Dominic Dyer, CEO of the Badger Trust and Policy Advisor to Care for the Wild, said: “The anti-badger cull protest movement is one of the biggest we’ve ever […]
