Science chief backs badger cull
By Pallab Ghosh
Science correspondent, BBC News
Only a complete badger cull would curb TB, the evidence suggests
The UK government's chief scientist advised ministers that killing badgers could prevent the spread of TB among cattle, the BBC has learned.
Sir David King's report appears to contradict a previous study that said culling badgers would be ineffective in controlling the spread of the disease.
The Independent Scientific Group found that targeting one site would only cause badgers to flee to other farms.
The National Farmers' Union said a cull was necessary to curb TB in cattle.
Figures from the union suggest the number of cases of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) had risen by as much as 18% in the past year, to nearly 2,500.
The independent group's (ISG) findings, published in June, said that badgers did play a role in the spread of bTB, it warned that the culling would have to be so extensive it would be uneconomical.
The ISG assessed the results of a nine year experiment to discover whether killing badgers would stem the spread of disease.
It found that although TB infection dropped in the immediate area of the cull, it increased on adjoining farms, effectively shifting rather than solving the problem.
But Sir David King has concluded that culling could be effective if the culling was in areas that are contained, for example, by the sea or motorways.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it welcomed Sir David's report and would consider its recommendations.
While most cattle farmers were likely to support a cull, it would prove unpopular with the public.
A government consultation of more than 47,000 people found that more than 95% of people were opposed to the idea.
Ministers are currently deciding whether to introduce badger culling as a way to prevent the spread of TB among cattle.
By Pallab Ghosh
Science correspondent, BBC News
Only a complete badger cull would curb TB, the evidence suggests
The UK government's chief scientist advised ministers that killing badgers could prevent the spread of TB among cattle, the BBC has learned.
Sir David King's report appears to contradict a previous study that said culling badgers would be ineffective in controlling the spread of the disease.
The Independent Scientific Group found that targeting one site would only cause badgers to flee to other farms.
The National Farmers' Union said a cull was necessary to curb TB in cattle.
Figures from the union suggest the number of cases of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) had risen by as much as 18% in the past year, to nearly 2,500.
The independent group's (ISG) findings, published in June, said that badgers did play a role in the spread of bTB, it warned that the culling would have to be so extensive it would be uneconomical.
The ISG assessed the results of a nine year experiment to discover whether killing badgers would stem the spread of disease.
It found that although TB infection dropped in the immediate area of the cull, it increased on adjoining farms, effectively shifting rather than solving the problem.
But Sir David King has concluded that culling could be effective if the culling was in areas that are contained, for example, by the sea or motorways.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it welcomed Sir David's report and would consider its recommendations.
While most cattle farmers were likely to support a cull, it would prove unpopular with the public.
A government consultation of more than 47,000 people found that more than 95% of people were opposed to the idea.
Ministers are currently deciding whether to introduce badger culling as a way to prevent the spread of TB among cattle.
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