David's Digest

I have just read a report that Lord Rooker has said the government is fed up with paying out millions of pounds each year to compensate livestock farmers whose animals get TB, or words to that effect. Further, that farmers will soon have to stand all the costs of TB themselves.

Old and cynical as I am I can hardly believe it. That a government whose inaction because of fear of badger groups and public opinion could drop such a bombshell into the lap of the livestock industry beggars belief. And to do so only a few days after Sir David King, the governments excellent chief scientist, came out with a report that stated clearly there could be no effective control of TB in the national herd until badger numbers are drastically reduced.

Presumably Rooker was told to soften up the industry for such a move because of the budget cuts being imposed on DEFRA, a department that has messed up almost everything it has touched and whose staff bonuses and pensions remain unaffected.

I can only record how unjust I think this proposal is and hope it is withdrawn. For the only related initiative farmers might welcome paying for would be to cull the badgers. Meanwhile, if Rookers plan goes ahead it will drive even more vital UK food producers out of business.