CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride has urged that the Government continue with its badger cull.

The cull is aiming to combat the spread of bovine TB, one of the biggest challenges facing the cattle farming industry.

After the Commons debate Mel said: 'There is currently no oral vaccine for badgers and no 100 per cent effective vaccine for cattle, with tests unable to differentiate effectively between cattle with the disease and those that have been vaccinated.

'With the European Union not expecting a legal or viable vaccine to be available for at least ten years, British farmers desperately need us to push ahead.

'The British Veterinary Association wouldn't be supporting the plans if they didn't agree that badgers and cattle would suffer far more if we did nothing.'