Badgers and Bovine TB

It believes that this report flies in the face of science, public opinion and economics and that it sweeps away 10 years of scientific research by the Independent Scientific Group into the issue of badgers and Bovine TB. The Independent Scientific Group (ISG) recently released their final report into the issue and stated that badger culling provides “no meaningful contribution to cattle TB control in Britain. Indeed, some policies under consideration are likely to make matters worse rather than better.” And that badger culling is not a ‘cost-effective’ control mechanism for combating bovine tuberculosis (bTB).

The Ulster Wildlife Trust believes the report produced by Sir David King does not provide any new data to inform the scientific debate on badgers and bovine TB. It ignores issues such as the cost effectiveness or practicality of any action and does not provide a balanced view of the issue. It also fails to consider the effectiveness of cattle controls which are important mechanisms for controlling the spread of the disease. With no background or terms of reference, this report has been developed behind closed doors despite the significant public interest. The Ulster Wildlife Trust is therefore concerned that it is more about political expediency than science, particularly in the face of overwhelming evidence provided by the ISG in June. The ISG report represents 10 years of science, millions of pounds of research and the involvement of tens of scientists.

Heather Thompson Chief Executive of the Ulster Wildlife Trust says, “TB in the national cattle herd within Northern Ireland has fallen by 40% in the last 3 years and the fact that it is continuing to fall supports the argument that improved animal husbandry and biosecurity is more efficient and cost effective in controlling TB than badger culling. In fact the incidence of TB in the Northern Ireland cattle herd is now lower than in the Republic where badger culling continues.”

She continues, “The Ulster Wildlife Trust recognises the hardship Bovine TB has caused to the farming community in Northern Ireland. We particularly recognise the important role the livestock industry can play in the environmentally-sensitive management of the countryside and the serious disruption and anxiety caused to farmers experiencing a herd breakdown. However we do not believe that a badger cull would make a significant contribution to the eradication of Bovine TB in Northern Ireland. The Ulster Wildlife Trust is as keen as the farming community to see the eradication of Bovine TB from cattle and badgers in Northern Ireland and believes that there are various alternatives to a cull that have not been fully implemented and/or researched such as vaccine development.