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MP says 'Badger cull not the answer to TB problem'

THIS IS SOUTH DEVON
1 Oct 2010 | By Olivier Vergnault

TORBAY MP Adrian Sanders has taken a stance against the coalition Government's policy on badger culling because of a lack of evidence.

The Lib Dem MP believes that culling is not the answer to the spread of cattle TB.

He has now voiced his strong opposition to government proposals to allow badger culling to go ahead in Devon and Cornwall.

He said the coalition Government was simply seeking the least expensive route to give the impression action was being taken.

Mr Sanders said: "In the coalition agreement, it was stated that the Government would take an evidence-based approach to the problem of TB. The evidence so far points to the fact that culling does not solve the problem and if not handled well, actually exacerbates it.

"The previous Labour Government shelved plans for a cull in favour of a widespread vaccination programme for badgers, to eliminate tuberculosis once and for all.

Mr Sanders said the previous Government took this decision following a lengthy scientific study, which revealed that badger culling rarely reduced the rate of TB in cattle and that there were many other factors that increased the likelihood of cattle contracting TB.

He added: "The Government's approach is clearly a cost-cutting exercise. It could fight to alter the trade barriers that prevent vaccinated cattle being exported and it could invest in a vaccination programme for badgers. Sadly though it is just outsourcing solving the problem to individual farmers, who ultimately will be shouldered with the cost of carrying out any cull."

The Government has not yet firmly decided what action to take and Mr Sanders is now urging members of the public to respond to the open consultation, which closes on December 8, to make their views known.

For more information or to express your views visit:
www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/tb-control-measures/index.htm.

 

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