Spy cameras to combat bovine TB
Infrared surveillance cameras will monitor badger visits to cattle farms to establish the risk faced by farms of the threat of bovine TB.
Cattle farmers in the South West are needed to take part in a DEFRA-funded study investigating the use of farm buildings and farmyards by badgers.
The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) will install the cameras at 75 volunteer farms across south-west England for the project.
Over a four-week period, cameras will count the number of badger visits to farms, and establish what factors encourage badgers to regularly visit farm buildings.
It is hoped the project will provide farmers with information about the potential advantages of installing measures to exclude badgers from buildings.
A survey for badger activity will be carried out near the farm buildings, and details of farming practices, such as cattle feeds, local crops and landscape features, will also be recorded.
Team leader Gavin Wilson said: “Recent research has shown that badger visits to farm buildings are widespread and common, but that some farms are more prone to badger visits than others.
“The purpose of our current project is to try to understand the reasons behind this, and develop a simple method to assess the risk of badger visits to any given farm.
“Ultimately, this is about helping farmers determine what the best biosecurity measures are for their individual farms.”
The research is the second phase of the Farm Assessment Tool project, which was launched by the Food and Environment Agency last year.
Previous DEFRA-funded research confirmed badger visits to farm buildings were common and widespread on cattle farms in south-west England, and that they could be prevented by the adoption of exclusion measures.
These measures include protecting buildings and farm areas susceptible to wildlife visits, such as feed stores, by installing secure gates or electric fencing and securing feed bags and bins.
Scientific evidence shows badgers are a major source of TB infection in cattle. From January to November last year, 35,000 cattle were slaughtered in the UK as a result of bovine TB.
For study details, contact the AHVLA on 01453 861400 or email wildlife@ahvla.gsi.gov.uk
See our dedicated page on bovine TB and the badger cull