August 2016
Bovine TB is the greatest animal health threat to the UK and causes devastation and distress for farmers and rural communities like ours. 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.
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 and a need to prioritise available stocks for humans.
As part of a comprehensive strategic approach, culling continues to play a vital role. 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.
