CATTLE TB TOLL FALLS AGAIN . . . with no badgers killed in Wales

March 25, 2011

22 – Mar-2011

The Welsh Assembly Government will debate tomorrow (Wednesday March 23) whether to carry out its plan to kill badgers as new figures show big reductions in cattle TB.

The area designated for the killing is in Dyfed, where the cattle toll has fallen by 45 percent over the last two years without any culling policy.  This is since Health Check Wales was introduced which ensured that all animals were tested, some of which previously would not have been checked for another four years.

The latest bovine tuberculosis statistics [1] for Wales show a continuing reduction during 2010 of 2,743 in cattle slaughtered because of having given positive tests for bovineTB (bTB) [2]. This was 4,353 fewer than in 2008.

In Dyfed, which includes the Intensive Action Area where badger culling is being planned, the equivalent figures have shown a reduction from 8,361 to 4634, also over two years,

Clearly the stringent cattle control measures WAG has introduced are working, yet the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Dr. Christianne Glossop, has claimed the figures could be cyclical as in the past.

But earlier rises occurred before the present package of cattle measures was introduced.

The Badger Trust contends that it would be wrong to kill badgers in view of these figures. David Williams, the chairman, said: “The improvements are thanks to more regular testing and movement restrictions – all without killing badgers.  In reality the beef and dairy industries should be congratulated on the success they have achieved at great cost both to them and the taxpayer.  On this evidence their efforts and sacrifices are starting to pay off, as predicted by the Independent Scientific Group which oversaw Defra’s Randomised Badger Culling Trial.   Movement restrictions should not be seen as a blight but as essential to consolidate recent gains. Any idea that they would be unnecessary if all the badgers were killed is  preposterous”.

 

[1] http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/tb/stats/latest.htm

 

[2] This excludes slaughterhouse cases reported to Animal Health animals sent for slaughter, some of which were confirmed as having bTB.

 

Learn About Badgers!
A badger sett is a system of tunnels and nesting chambers lined with bedding such as grass, moss and leaves.
Cubs are normally born in February, and the average number in a litter is three, although the range can be from one to five.
Badgers are considered omnivorous, although their diet varies so much in different countries they are also sometimes termed ‘local specialists’.
Badgers live mainly in woods and copses in extensive underground burrow systems called setts.
Badgers are shy, nocturnal animals that live in underground chambers connected by a network of tunnels known as a sett.
Did You Know?
It has been estimated that up to 50,000 badgers may be killed on our roads each year. If safe to do so, it is worth checking what appears to be a dead badger.
Snares can do serious damage to skin tissue which is not immediately obvious.
Badger cubs begin to explore above ground in May, sometimes without mum’s permission!
Try not to cause the animal alarm, but observe from a distance.
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BADGERS IN THE GARDEN
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