APPENDIX 3
Memorandum submitted by PCP & JG Harris
(P3)
I think that there is a need to cull some of
the badger population in TB hot-spots. There is a definite link
between badgers and cattle which has been agreed by most people
in the field. I do not think that farmers are asking for a wholesale
cull of badgers but some must be disposed of. If there is too
large a population then there is a good chance that all types
of disease will spread amongst the badgers and they will suffer
in any case.
A measured response to this difficult political
problem is needed which addresses both sides of the argument.
I have had a recent TB test and one cow was
declared an IR. It was culled immediately and we received OTMS
prices. But a quick outcome to the test is what is needed. This
is the biggest annoyance of the whole matter. More testing staff
must be employed to cut the time delay.
January 2003
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