Control of Bovine TB is the issue that unites all farmers the length and breadth of the country. It is the one topic that quite rightly ignites real emotion because the impact of the disease has been so devastating. So why have so few farming folk bothered to give their views to the DEFRA consultation?
With just a few days remaining before the consultation ends, now is a time for urgent action not apathy. The lack of farmer input so far seriously puts at risk any hope of a licence-to-cull policy coming in.
Don't let the well-organised anti-cull lobby dominate because, at the moment, that is exactly what is happening. The badger groups have used the democratic process and the media effectively to get people from all walks of life fired up on this issue. They are swamping the consultation team with piles of well-argued letters demanding no cull of infected badgers.
It would be an absolute tragedy for farming families and the future of the countryside if the alternative view to this was not heard loud and clear. Vaccination and improved bio-security will be necessary to tackle this disease. But licences to cull infected badgers humanely and safely will be essential too if we are to stop the reservoir of infection in wildlife.
All farmers, whether you have been hit by Bovine TB or not, must take action in the next few days for the industry to have a fighting chance. Even arable growers should be motivated to air their views as they too will be directly affected if the livestock sector continues to decline. You can email, fax or post a letter to the DEFRA consultation and it should only take a few minutes.
Quality of responses should count more than quantity, but more farmer responses would be a positive thing to demonstrate the hardship it is causing. Farmers cannot afford to be complacent and should not be afraid to express their views for fear of reprisal. Some families are understandably reluctant to respond because they are worried that a risk of identification may lead to trouble with animal welfare protestors.
Those not wanting details to be published because of the sensitivity of the issue can easily remain anonymous. There is also plenty of help from the NFU if you are not sure what to say in your communication. While every comment is valid, it is vital the industry presents a balanced argument that is about eradicating the disease and not Britain's badgers. We want healthy cattle and healthy badgers, and livestock producers desperately want to get back in control of their businesses. It is impossible to operate when trapped in a vicious cycle of testing, slaughtering cattle and movement restrictions.
Failure to take action over the level of TB infection has already cost taxpayers more than £84m and the human price does not bear thinking about.
If you care about this disease and see inaction as an injustice, don't sit back and wait for others to speak out on your behalf. Let's see the industry pull together and get across a resolute message.
Jane King, Editor, Farmers Weekly
Your questions answered about how to respond to government
The NFU is encouraging all farmers to make their voices heard in the government’s bovine TB consultation, which ends on 8 December. To make it easier to respond the union has answered key questions asked by farmers.
What difference will a response from an ordinary farmer like me make?
It is extremely important that all farmers respond to the consultation to show their support for the options put forward by government.
It is critical that the whole industry is able to demonstrate a commitment to delivering a control programme that will meet the conditions of the licence and would be co-ordinated to ensure badgers are removed humanely.
DEFRA will receive many thousands of individual responses and petitions against a cull of badgers but supporting the use of vaccination. This suggests an acceptance that badgers are part of the problem, but a reliance on badger vaccination in the endemic areas is not the solution.
Every response counts and I would urge farmers to send theirs today.
I have never done this kind of thing before. How long should it be? What format should it take?
It should not take long to respond, but to comment on each of the eight questions may take a little longer.
Your response, however short, will still be counted and taken into account, but we would encourage comments supporting the options proposed, in particular the use of controlled shooting of free-running badgers.
Does it need to be done on a computer or can it be
handwritten?
Either, you can respond by email by simply clicking on the link on the DEFRA website, or by following the link from the NFU website and completing the standard response form. This can be emailed direct to Defra at tbbc@defra.gsi.gov.uk or posted to TBBC Mailbox, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square London SW1P 3JR or faxed 020 7238 6431.
Is there a standard letter I can print off and sign?
Yes, the NFU has provided a standard response template which can be found on the NFU website.
However, we would still encourage farmers to give additional comments and any personal experiences in support of their submission and the policy in general.
Is sending a standard letter enough? Will they take any notice?
There will be many voices of opposition during the current consultation on TB control measures. It’s vital that our industry makes its views heard and shows its support.
In order to ensure that the policy option put forward by government to control bovine TB in badgers becomes a reality, it must receive strong industry support. Therefore it is vital that the farming industry demonstrates its widespread support for these proposals.
Let’s not forget that Defra will receive many negative responses. To counter this it will require as many farmers as possible to submit responses to the consultation.
I’m worried about repercussions from activists. Do I need to give my name and address?
The NFU standard response form includes a statement that asks that your personal details are not released: "I would be grateful if this response is not published or made available to third parties. Due to the highly sensitive nature of this consultation, I would be concerned about my personal safety should this response be obtained by persons who may seek to cause harm or harassment".
Links to the NFU guidance notes and standard letter can also be found here.