Brown calls for speedier
Brown calls for speedier
action in TBbadger war
By Aistair Driver
and Johann Tasker
FARM minister Nick Brown has called for an urgent parliamentary debate to discuss the possibility of killing more badgers to combat the escalating problem of tuberculosis in cattle.
Speaking at the NFU annual conference in London on Wednesday (Feb 7), Mr Brown accepted that the government had been too slow tin tackling TB in badgers, which had led to an escalation of the disease in cattle. And he drew a passionate response from the floor when he pledged to try to speed up the battle against bovine TB.
Referring to the governments Krebs-Bourne badger culling trial, Mr Brown said: "I am calling for a debate in Parliament to discuss the way forward. Ideas we might consider include action outside the Krebs-Bourne trial areas in new TB hotspots and an examination of badger vaccines being developed in the Irish Republic."
The link between TB in badgers and cattle was "compelling", Mr Brown added. But he warned that political opposition could make progress difficult. However, action was needed before the results of the culling trials expected in five years time, especially in light of last years report into the BSE crisis by Lord Justice Phillips, said Mr Brown.
"We cannot let TB steadily increase in the national herd. I am determined to press ahead with the Krebs-Bourne trials. But I am also conscious of what the Phillips Report has to say about decision-making in areas of uncertainty. It is important to explain that this is an animal welfare issue for cattle and a human welfare issue for the families whose herds have become affected."
The pledge by Mr Brown, who has faced death threats from animal rights extremists opposed to killing badgers, drew warm applause from conference delegates. NFU president Ben Gill said there was a desperate need for urgent action on bovine TB, which is currently rising by 23% a year. A wider parliamentary debate should not delay this, he said.
"It is good that the minister recognises the very serious problems in terms of cattle welfare and the distress being caused to farming families of allowing the problem of TB in this country to worsen. The need for interim measures to [combat TB] such as action outside the trial areas in the new hotspot areas is undeniable."
But the National Federation of Badger Groups condemned Mr Brown for considering killing more badgers. Dr Elaine King, Conservation Officer for the NFBG, said: "Mr Brown has been told by all of Britains leading nature conservation and animal welfare groups that such a course of action is unnecessary and unacceptable."
Dr King said additional killing had also been opposed by Mr Browns advisers in the governments Independent Scientific Group. The longer Mr Brown considered proposals to kill more badgers, the more farmers will be encouraged to think that killing the animals will solve their TB problems.
"Britains small and family farmers need practical help thats good for wildlife, good for cattle welfare and – most importantly – acceptable to the public. The mass extermination of badgers will only deepen the publics growing distaste for intensive agribusiness and its products."
Nick Brown said the link between TBin cattle and badgers was compelling.