TB in cattle rising after badger cull ban

25 June 1998

TB in cattle ‘rising after badger cull ban’

CASES of tuberculosis (TB) in cattle are soaring in areas where the Government banned badger-culling operations a year ago.

Ministry of Agriculture officials and farmers leaders were “deeply worried” by unpublished Government figures showing that the number of herds under restriction in the West Midlands was 30% higher in the first five months of this year compared with last year. Cases in the West Country also rose by 45%.

The National Farmers Union said Britains entire cattle population was now at risk – meaning the UKs national cattle herd could lose its TB-free status in Europe.

The figures have renew demands from the NFU for tougher controls on badgers where cattle are falling victim to the disease.

The Government is expected to announce within the next fortnight how it intends to implement badger control, in line with the recommendations of the Krebs Report, compiled by Prof. John Krebs, chief executive of the Natural Animal Research Council.

About 67 herds are under TB restrictions in Staffordshire, Shropshire and Derbyshire. Two years ago, these counties were TB-free.

• The Daily Telegraph 25/06/98 page 8