RABDF welcomes Government’s plan for badger cull
15 September 2010
The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers has wholeheartedly welcomed the Coalition Government’s proposals for a badger cull in England to control TB. “We commend Farm Minister Jim Paice’s announcementthis morning for a consultation which includes for farmers to be granted licences to cull badgers themselves,” commented RABDF chairman, David Cotton.
“Theproposed measures will be of immense relief to thousands of farmers whose livelihoods have been hugely affected by the impact of TB and also to those who live in fear of their herds becoming infected. If we are to break the cycle of this insidious disease which led to 14,000 animals being removed from the national herd in the first five months of this year, then the more tools we have, the better. This proposed carefully managed cull should be introduced, together with carefully implemented bio-security measures and management of stock on farm. ”
He added: “We also welcome Defra’s plans to immediately relax TB testing in various circumstances. The measures should help to reduce the workload of state vets who are already under serious pressure after taking on the mantel this year of testing previously carried out by farm vets in private practice.
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