Report backs limited badger cull
27 February 2008 - BBC News
MPs have backed calls for a limited cull of badgers to help prevent the
spread of TB in cattle.
A report by the environment select committee committee (EFRA) says the action
should be focused on TB hotspots and form part of a package of control measures.
...
MPs on the EFRA committee have given their opinion - they have concluded that
in certain circumstances culling could help to control the disease. In their
report - Badger and Cattle TB - the committee says it is concerned that
disorganised culling could make matters worse. However, the politicians felt
that it could help if it was co-ordinated, covered a large area, was sustained
for at least four years and took place in areas that have boundaries which would
restrict the movement of badgers.
The RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), on the
other hand, described the MPs' suggestion as "muddled and flying in the face of
sound scientific judgement". The society's director of animal welfare promotion,
John Rolls, said: "The evidence shows a policy of badger culling is
unsustainable, uneconomic and could even worsen the spread of bovine TB."
The report acknowledges that culling badgers on its own cannot stem the
spread of TB in cattle. It calls for better testing and surveillance of cattle
to help identify and stamp out the disease.
...
Hilary Benn is expected to outline the government's policy on controlling TB
in cattle within the next few weeks. In response to the select committee report,
Mr Benn said: "Any potential policy on badger controls would have to take into
account whether it could be expected to have a significant impact on the
disease, whether it is supported by the available scientific evidence, whether
it could practically be delivered, and consideration of public acceptability."
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