Memorandum submitted by Central Science
Laboratory (CSL) (BTB 02)
Our interpretation of the scientific evidence
is that the Randomised Badger Culling Trial shows that the two
culling strategies tested will increase rather than decrease cattle
TB breakdown rates. It has been suggested that by culling more
efficiently the negative edge effects of culling might be reduced.
However, there is no empirical evidence for this, and more efficient
culling could extend the area of negative influence over a larger
area by creating a greater vacuum effect. It is important to point
out that the results of the Irish Four Area Trial need to be treated
with caution and cannot be simply applied to mainland Britain.
The option of intensive culling over areas large enough to eliminate
the negative edge effects would clearly have substantial logistical
and practical difficulties in implementation, apart from any considerations
of cost, acceptability and sustainability.
The key question that needs to be addressed
is whether there is any badger culling strategy that could be
recommended on the basis of efficacy (ie reducing the disease
in cattle, preferable without negative edge effects) that is practical,
cost-effective, acceptable and sustainable?
January 2006
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