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June 18th 2007: Government Independent Scientific Group concludes that culling is not the answer. Read more in this report from the Badger Trust.

© Steve Jackson

The transmission of bTB, especially between cattle, is still not fully understood. Over almost 30 years of Badger culling, the incidence of bTB in cattle has not significantly decreased. The strategy has not worked.

We have every sympathy with farmers who suffer herd breakdowns and that is why we want a different approach to the problem. We hold information/awareness stands at different events and open days around Dorset.

Put into perspective, still only about 1% of herds are affected. The outbreaks are mostly confined to discrete pockets in the west and south west of England but since the Food and Mouth epidemic, areas not previously affected have had herd breakdowns. This can only be attributed to restocking with infected cattle. Research has shown that climate and possibly soil have an affect on the disease. Over the years, normal fluctuations occur in the number of herd breakdowns from bTB. Bovine TB has two stages: > Infected – the disease cannot be passed on. > Infectious – the disease can be passed on to other animals.

Badgers are fairly resistant. 80% of culled Badgers are disease free. Of the remaining 20%, very few have been found to be infectious. It has been found that where a group of badgers are infected, provided that they remain stress-free, the disease within the family will probably die out.

However cattle are very susceptible to bTB.

Wild deer are also very susceptible and are known to carry the disease. There are an estimated 2-3 million wild deer roaming widely as opposed to about 300,000 badgers confined to territories.

A 5 year study has shown that the culling of badgers makes the problem worse in those areas, not better.

The way forward

The present skin test for cattle is not sufficiently accurate and where there is a positive reaction, the farmer cannot move any cattle from his farm until they are retested and cleared of infection. Since the test sensitises the skin there has to be a delay of 3 months before a retest - unsatisfactory for farmers.

© Steve Jackson

The gamma interferon blood test. We want to see the implementation of this test which is more accurate and detects bTB in an animal at a much earlier stage thus reducing the chance of it passing on the infection. Less delay should a retest be required.

More frequent testing of all cattle including compulsory tests before they are moved from a farm. Cattle passport to include testing details.

Finding a vaccine for cattle which will not jeopardise the accuracy of subsequent testing.

For more information see these files from the Badger Trust:
Bovine TB Briefing | TB Testing Report