NFU deputy accuses DEFRA secretary David Miliband of TB smokescreen
UK - NFU deputy president Meurig Raymond accused DEFRA secretary David Miliband of hiding behind this year's falls in bovine TB levels to stave off having to make a decision on how to contain the disease.A number of factors explained the lower numbers earlier this year, he told the council, including the fact that a new Dutch test was being used and more older cattle had been culled last autumn as the over-30-months scheme drew to a close.
Mr Raymond also suggested that there was some badger culling going on in certain parts of the country by desperate people. This was "regrettable" as it was not controlled, he added.
Meanwhile, the NFU remained totally committed to resisting pre-movement testing of cattle over six weeks old and to challenging the use of compensation tables for culled animals.
Source: fwi.co.uk