Memorandum submitted by F Fraser (BTB
32)
1. Bovine TB is exactly that—a problem
of TB in cattle and needs to be solved in cattle.
The TB test is notoriously inaccurate; there
have been many incidents of cattle testing positive and have proved
to be free of TB after slaughter and also some cattle proving
to have TB when slaughtered having passed the test as clear. Apart
from the unnecessary waste and expense, the numbers of cattle
actually having "TB" are therefore not the same as those
culled as a result of positive test results. There needs to be
a new accurate test developed for detection of TB in cattle.
2. During the last 30 years the continued
denegration and associated "legal" and illegal killing
of badgers with considerable cruelty involved . . . (badgers a
protected species!), has made no impact on the TB in the South
West. The badger population is dispersed when interfered with.
Badgers have been made a scapegoat with an enormous amount of
resources wasted which would have been better used to develop
a vaccine for eradicating TB in cattle.
3. Recent suggestions to use snares and
possibly encourage farmers to gas badgers themselves are unacceptable.
There is no universally recognised method of humanely killing
badgers in large numbers—even if the idea were acceptable;
which to my mind, and to that of many others, it is not. The manifold
dangers of snareing, to all wild life and domestic animals are
intolerable, as history has taught us.
4. Other species, eg deer and cats carry
bovine TB . . . will the next step be to eradicate these in specific
areas? It would be logical but unacceptable.
5. The answer to Bovine TB must be found
in cattle; had the funds wasted on the pursuit of badgers been
spent on a vaccine for cattle, its development would have been
at least 20 years further on. It must be developed now and wildlife
left alone. There is no evidence of a badger population rife with
bovine TB.
6. It is accepted that TB thrives where
there are increased stress levels— intensive farming methods
have placed cattle in situations of increased stress which has
contributed to the problem.
SUMMARY
1. The present test for TB is inaccurate.
New test should be developed for TB in cattle.
2. Badger denegration through the last 30
years has increased the problem without solution.
3. Suggestions to cull badgers on a large
scale are totally unacceptable and useless, and causes migration
in badger community.
4. Other species carry Bovine TB.
5. Solution should be looked for and found
in cattle: vaccine must be developed—in cattle.
6. Other causes for increase incidence of
TB in cattle.
February 2006
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