A fresh commitment has been made by Prime Minister David Cameron to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (bTB) at the North Devon Show.
Speaking at the show, Cameron confirmed that badger culls will go ahead and that his Government has the 'political courage' to support the countryside in combating the disease.
The speech was welcomed by the Country Land and Business Association, with its Deputy President Henry Robinson saying years of political indecision had led to 'the destruction of livelihoods in rural areas up and down the country.'
"We welcome this personal commitment from the Prime Minister and urge him now to press on with the cull to help rid our livestock and wildlife populations of this terrible disease.
“We will work closely with Defra on its recently published draft strategy to make England free of bTB, however this will be conditional on the success of ridding wildlife sources of the disease."
The CLA also welcomed the Prime Minister’s comments outlining his intention to work with the farming industry on the implementation of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
“We are pleased he recognises the importance of ensuring that British farmers are put on a level playing field with their competitors, and the CLA will look forward to working closely with his office and Defra to ensure the new CAP is implemented in a simple, efficient manner,” said Mr Robinson.
The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to re-affirm his commitment to the UK’s agricultural technology sector by pledging additional funding.
“The UK is a world leader in agricultural research and technology,” added Mr Robinson. “The commitment for funding and cross-departmental support is vital to ensure that agriculture continues to deliver growth for the UK economy.”
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is expected to begin staff training in August and September to prepare for a programme of badger vaccinations on its nature reserves.
The Wildlife Trusts believe that biosecurity and vaccination should be at the centre of efforts to tackle bovine tuberculosis (TB) rather than a badger cull, which is designated to continue this year in a series of pilot programmes.
"We have already engaged with a highly respected vet to help us approach this complex issue in the best possible way. In the near future we will start buying all the equipment that we need" said the trust.
"Badgers are a much loved part of our countryside but they play a role in the spread of Bovine tuberculosis (bTB). The Environment Secretary, Owen Paterson, announced on 26 January 2013 that pilot badger culls will go ahead in Somerset and Gloucester starting in June this year. The cull aims to kill 70% of badgers within the target area.
"A vaccine is available to inoculate badgers. Vaccinating badgers can significantly reduce bTB without the disruption of a cull. In a veterinary field study, vaccinating wild badgers resulted in a 74% reduction in bTB. In comparison, culling trials have shown that shooting 70% of wild badgers might reduce bTB cases by just 12-23% over 9 years– and increase cases of bTB on the outskirts of cull zones."
A plan to rid England of bovine TB within 25 years was set out by Environment Secretary Owen Paterson earlier in July.
