It is almost beyond belief that it has taken so long for respected scientists to accept the need to control badger numbers. That feeling is exacerbated by the fact that TB in cattle has cost the nations taxpayers in the region of £1billion, never mind the losses and heartache suffered by livestock farmers. Let us hope that, finally, the government will have the courage to bite the bullet and do what is recommended. Although farmers will have to be prepared for the public reaction against killing what are seen as beautiful furry creatures.
Back in the 1950's and '60's a concerted campaign run by the Ministry of Agriculture assisted by local vets succeded in eliminating TB from Great Britain. Herds were tested on a regular basis and reactors removed and slaughtered. I was milking cows at the time and well remember the sense of achievement when we at last had a few clear tests. The main motivation was public health for it was accepted that infected milk had spread TB to consumers.
Then pasteurisation was virtually universally adopted for milk suppled to consumers - a process which eliminated the disease. Public health authorities relaxed believing the TB problem was sorted. They reckoned without the recent immigration into Britain of people from other countries whose standards were not as high as ours and TB infection in humans is now significant again.
The other change that affected livestock was the ban, in 1973, of badger digging and hunting. During the earlier campaign badger numbers were controlled by these practices and any TB problems had little influence on clearing it from cattle. But suddenly badgers had no predators. Their numbers increased exponentially; they lived much closer together and passed on disease to one another; and as farmers know to their cost, passed it on to cattle as well.
We have arrived at a situation now, as the governments Chief Scientist,Sir David King, tacitly concedes, that is out of control. There is no prospect of a return to badger hunting so a controlled cull in areas where TB cases and bagders are most numerous is the only answer. Once numbers have been cut to manageable levels ongoing attempts to eliminate it from the national cattle herd might stand a chance - just as the campaign did fifty years ago.
But it will take several years and there will be opposition and obstruction from badger groups all the way. It will take all the communication skills of the NFU and other farmers representatives to explain to average consumers the necessity of the cull. Some of the historic facts quoted above might help.
They should take pains to explain that it is not intended that every badger should be removed from this country. Once numbers are down to reasonable levels most of the danger of disease spread should be over. And we will still be able to enjoy one of Britains most iconic wild animals in the knowledge that they too will be more healthy.
Comments (1)
Convincing the public of the need to control the badger population will become easier as the damage caused by exessive badger numbers is on the increase. Roads undermined isolating a village. Cemetries desecrated, houses undermined, lawns dug up, hedgehogs eliminiated from the countryside, canal banks and Offa's Dyke undermined to mention but a few. The taxpayers bill for increasing the incidence by 20% annualy is DFRA's "success story". Untill politicians actualy follow their own advice of taking a holistic approach to the TB problem Defra will continue to increase the problem by 20% per annum.
Posted by evan thomas | November 6, 2007 9:43 AM
Posted on November 6, 2007 09:43