Supplementary memorandum submitted by
Mr Jan Rowe, Vice Chairman, Animal Health and Welfare Committee,
National Farmers' Union of England and Wales (P30a)
Animal movements between herds do have the potential
to spread disease but there is little evidence that this creates
new "hot spots".
In the absence of a wildlife reservoir sporadic
TB will clear up in the herd (given adequate testing and culling).
We do not believe animal to animal spread within a herd is a significant
factor in maintaining TB when regular testing is taking place.
All hot spots in the UK are areas where there
is a significant badger population, ie there is likely to be a
reservoir of infection back to cattle herds.
The Protection of Badgers Act is likely to have
had a significant impact on the population dynamics of this top
predator species. Anecdotal evidence is that of a growing population
now becoming a significant carrier of a potentially epidemic disease
with little being done to bring this under control. We question
if this is a responsible attitude to notifiable disease control.
24 February 2003
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