|
23/10/07
The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers has welcomed
Government chief scientist, Sir David King’s report to
ministers in which he advises a badger cull in areas where there
is ‘a high and persistent incidence of bTB, provided removal
takes place alongside an effective programme of cattle controls’.
 |
However, the association has expressed surprise that the recommendation
has come from Sir David, rather than Defra, the department responsible
for bTB, and that it is completely at odds with those made less
than four months ago by the Independent Scientific Group (ISG).
“Sir David’s conclusions are extremely practical; they
are in fact what we and other members of the industry have been
suggesting for the last 10 years,” comments RABDF chairman,
Lyndon Edwards. “These measures are sheer common sense and
the first step towards what we hope is a sensible strategy that
will be acceptable to all. It really is wonderful news to find
a chief government advisor accepting what farmers consider to be
the obvious.
“However, to farmers the announcement will also come as confusing
because it contradicts the ISG report findings released in June,
which concluded that badger culling cannot meaningfully contribute
to the future control of cattle TB in Britain,” he said. “Furthermore,
we find it surprising that the announcement has come from Sir David
and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills when
bTB is the responsibility of Defra, and its minister Lord Rooker
had been scheduled to make an announcement before the end of the
month.”
He added: “While it demonstrates the lack of joined up thinking
between the two departments, we trust Sir David’s recommendations
will lead to removal of bTB among our beleaguered livestock sector
in which this insidious disease has led to bankruptcies among farmers
as well as considerable heartache throughout our rural communities.”
 Chief Scientific Adviser Recommends Badger Cull
RABDF/Defra Farm Health Planning Award 2007
US
Announces Boost for FAO's Bird Flu Programme
|
