Has He Refused To Tackle TB?
UK - In a letter to the Guardian newspaper earlier this week Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: "It is not the case that I have refused to tackle bovine TB in badgers."
29 January 2010
1 minute read
"On the contrary, the government is determined to make progress in eradicating bovine TB, not least because of the serious impact it has on farmers.
"My decision against a badger cull was made after careful consideration of the scientific evidence, practicality and public acceptability, following discussions with farmers, vets and wildlife groups. We have tried badger culling, but the conclusion of the Independent Scientific Group – based on the evidence from these trials – was that badger culling "cannot meaningfully contribute to the future control" of TB in cattle in Britain.
"We are therefore trying an alternative approach to the problem, by investing £20m over three years to develop badger and cattle vaccines. We will start vaccinating badgers in six areas of England, working with farmers, later this year. We are also taking steps to try to reduce the incidence and spread of bovine TB, working with the industry and vets through the Bovine TB Eradication Group, and I have accepted all the recommendations of its first report. This includes providing better support to affected farmers."
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