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Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust to vaccinate badgers

FARMERS GUARDIAN
4 March 2011, p2.

GLOUCESERSHIRE Wildlife Trust is to begin a programme of badger vaccination in its nature reserves this summer.

The latest TB statistics show nearly one in three Gloucestershire herds were under TB restrictions at some point last year.

The wildlife trust is currently working with the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) to identify locations within its nature reserves where there is a TB problem in badgers and cattle.

Once surveying is complete, and staff have been trained and approved to administer the vaccine, the process is likely to begin in 'early summer'.

The trust will fund the entire process, which will involve a £5,000 set-up cost' plus staff time and is prepared to repeat the process for at least five years, according to chef executive Gordon McGlone.

He said the trust did not believe culling was 'scientifically justified' and wanted to show vaccination could provide a 'solution for everyone'.

A spokesman said Defra was 'please to see local groups being trained and preparing to do their bit to help control the disease.

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