Constituents have contacted me about the link between Badgers and controlling the spread of bovine TB. Reference has been made to a recent scientific study which concludes that badgers are unlikely to come into sufficiently close contact with cattle to pass on TB. This same study, from scientists at Imperial College and the Zoological Society of London, concludes that bovine TB is probably spread between cattle and badgers but is more likely to be transmitted via bodily fluids on the ground or in feeding troughs. According to this science, there is an issue with badgers being a cause for TB and, with over 30,000 cattle per year being slaughtered, I support the policy of the Government to use all methods at their disposal to eradicate bovine TB.
You can read more about the latest scientific study here: https://www.zsl.org/science/news/badgers-and-cattle-seldom-meet
Bovine TB is the greatest animal health threat to the UK and causes devastation and distress for farmers and rural communities across the country. Dealing with it is costing taxpayers £100 million each year. The Government is delivering a 25-year strategy to eradicate this disease and protect the UK's dairy and beef industries. This includes strengthening cattle testing and movement controls, improving biosecurity and controlling badger populations where TB is rife.
Cattle movement controls and testing are being strengthened to stop infection spreading between herds, as is the regime for tackling the disease among other farmed animals, such as alpacas. These movement controls are causing concern across the farming industry hence it is vital that we find better ways to stop the spread of bovine TB.
The Badger Edge Vaccination Scheme has supported badger vaccination projects on the borders of the high-risk areas, but there is a worldwide shortage of the BCG vaccine. Because of the need to prioritise available stocks for humans, and in line with the Welsh Government's decision, attempts to source it for badger vaccination have been suspended. Whilst I support vaccination, if this cannot occur then I believe that, as part of a comprehensive strategic approach, culling continues to play a vital role. Overseas experience in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland shows that to eradicate the disease, the problem must be tackled in both cattle and wildlife. The following letter from the Defra, sent following a Freedom of Information request, provides evidence of the experience from Ireland: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/320950/6488.pdf
Badger control operations in Somerset, Gloucestershire and Dorset have all been successful in meeting their targets, and, following advice from the Chief Veterinary Office, seven additional licences have now been granted for parts of Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. I believe that all necessary measures must be used to eradicate this devastating disease, and I am pleased to note early success. The Low Risk Area, covering over half of England, is on track to be officially TB-free by the end of 2019, which would be the first time this has been achieved anywhere in England.
Badger populations have increased hugely over the years. This has coincided with a decline in the numbers of ground-nesting birds and hedgehogs. Of the latter, badgers are the known principal predator and the decline in hedgehogs has coincided with the rise in the badger population. It is important that our ecology is balanced and managed where disease, or destruction of other species, is prevalent. It is estimated that 15% of the badger population carries bovine-TB. Whilst destroying any animal is a matter of regret, the destruction of 30,000 cattle needs to be taken into account.
A debate is taking place on this issue in Westminster Hall (the second debating chamber for MPs). Whilst there is no proposal for culling in the constituency I represent, I will do my best to attend should other Parliamentary business permit it. I support the Government's approach to eradicating bovine TB and in extending the badger cull in pursuit of this measure.