Badger cull will not stop TB spread - claim

2:45pm Thursday 10th April 2008

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CULLING badgers will not stop the spread of bovine TB and could even make the problem worse, according to two Gwent wildlife experts.

Around 8,000 cattle were killed in Wales last year because of the disease and the National Assembly has announced a series of measures to combat it including a pilot area to remove badgers.

But Gwent Badger Group chairman Steve Clarke said that this would do little to solve a problem as he believes cattle are equally responsible for spreading.

"They use the same area, so where there are large numbers of cattle infected, there will be large numbers of badgers infected too.

"The badger hotspots in Gwent are predominantly in Monmouthshire, where there is dairy farming. If they were culled there, they would be pretty much wiped out in Gwent," added Mr Clarke.

Under assembley plans, the badgers will be shot in a test area, thought to be in Pembrokeshire.

Gwent Wildlife Trust chief executive Julian Branscombe said that culling would merely spread the disease.

"It will disrupt their circle patterns, meaning badgers will move away to new areas. Those infected with TB will then spread it further," he said.

In 2007/08, the WAG paid £15.2 million to farmers in compensation for the disease while over 2,000 farms in the country are under movement restrictions because of it.

Farmers Union of Wales Gwent county executive Glyn Davies said: "The approach declared by the WAG in no way threatens the badger's survival in Wales and will ultimately help reduce the terrible suffering the disease causes for these animals."

Ruth Edwards, a farmer in Llantilio Crossenny said: "People make a living from cattle and if there is an outbreak of TB, a lot of valuable animals are lost.

"If a cull got rid of those suffering with nasty diseases, it would be better for all."

Idris Jones, a farmer in Llanvihangel Crucorney said: "Bovine TB is costing farmers lots of money and something has to be done about it. Unfortunately, even if it is just to prove it doesn't work, a trial badger cull must go ahead."