Bovine TB: £20 million for vaccination development
A big investment in vaccines to tackle Bovine TB was announced today as Government policy is that licences should not be issued to allow badger culling.
Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn announced that £20 million will be invested over the next three years in developing usable cattle and badger vaccines.
Mr Benn said that the decision was based on a wide range of evidence, including discussions with farming, veterinary, wildlife and conservation groups; the conclusions of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG); and the EFRA Select Committee Report.
He said:
“Having listened carefully to a wide range of views from scientists, farming, veterinary and wildlife organisations, and many others, and having considered all the evidence, I have decided that while such a cull might work, it might also not work. It could end up making the disease worse if it was not sustained over time or delivered effectively, and public opposition, including the unwillingness of some landowners to take part, would render this more difficult.
“I do not think it would be right to take this risk. Therefore – and in line with the advice I have received from the Independent Scientific Group – our policy will be not to issue any licences to farmers to cull badgers for TB control, although we remain open to the possibility of revisiting this policy under exceptional circumstances, or if new scientific evidence were to become available.”
He said that instead, effort should be put into strengthening Defra’s research programme to develop cattle and badger vaccines and maintaining cattle controls.
Funding would also be provided to set up and run a deployment project to build confidence in the long term contribution badger vaccination could make to tackling bovine TB and to provide valuable information which could help move toward the long term goal of an oral badger vaccine.
Mr Benn said that everyone now needed to move forward in tackling the disease. The Government wants to work in partnership with the industry to decide how to do this. Defra will therefore be establishing a Bovine TB Partnership Group to develop a shared plan for tackling bovine TB.
Further information
- News release
- Hilary Benn's full statement
- More information on badgers and bovine TB is available on Defra’s website
Page published: 7 July 2008