Decision time on TB and Badgers
09 June 2008
Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has called on DARD to reveal if Badgers will feature in a future TB action plan.
The MEP said,
“For years, DARD has employed a TB control strategy which has ignored an important source of the infection which exists in the Badger population. Indeed, last October, the UK Government’s Chief Scientific adviser warned that cattle movements alone cannot explain the persistence of TB in certain areas or its spread over the last decade, and recommended badger culling to be used in appropriate circumstances.”
“In recent correspondence I have had with DARD on this issue, it would appear the Department is still undecided on whether a control strategy will include active management of the disease within the wildlife population, in particular badgers. While DARD makes much acclaim of the fact that TB incidence has been falling since 2002, Northern Ireland remains a poor performer in comparison with other EU Member States, particularly in those countries where eradication has been achieved.”
“I note the Welsh Minister has recently announced a pilot badger cull, as part of a plan to eradicate tuberculosis in cattle in that part of the UK. Local farmers, particularly those whose livelihoods have been affected by TB outbreaks, will be anxious to see some urgent action on this issue.”
ENDS
