I WOULD like to respond to the article that appeared in the Times last month from a contributor called ‘View From The Gate’. The article gave an interesting insight into the ups and downs of a farming life and there is no doubt that it is a tough existence.

My issue with the author is her solution to the problem of Bovine TB where she and other farmers are suggesting that ‘infected’ sets be culled by gassing.

Firstly, badgers are protected animals and any attempt to injure or kill them is illegal. Secondly, gassing is an extremely cruel method of culling, it caused immense suffering which is why it was banned as a method of culling by the Government.

I assume that only one animal needs to test positive for the whole set to be culled and as the author is perfectly aware, the only way to test for TB in the field is a blood test which would mean the badgers need to be trapped, tested and culled if positive.

If you are going to all that trouble, why not trap, test and vaccinate as they are already doing successfully in Wales, Somerset and other parts of the country?

There are a number of benefits of badger vaccination. There is no disruption to family groups causing dispersal and possible disease spread, you are protecting them from contracting TB and therefore the risk of them becoming a vector for the disease, you are slowing down the progression and severity of the disease in already infected badgers, and cubs born into vaccinated sets have an 80% less chance of contracting the disease.

The other factor to consider is, as the author quite rightly states, many other species can carry BTB including deer, cats, dogs, alpacas, sheep and others so the only realistic way forward is to vaccinate the cattle.

In the meantime we need to follow the example of farmers in Wales who have managed to reduce BTB by over 40% in the last five years, an astonishing result and without an expensive and ineffective badger cull. They have, however, introduced a range of cattle and farm based measures which have proved to be extremely effective against the spread of this disease. This would seem a much better way forward than to waste money and resources targeting our wildlife.

Anyone wanting more information on badger vaccination can contact the Devon Badger Group and anyone wishing to report a suspected gassing or poisoning is urged to contact the police and FERA (the Food And environmental Research Agency)on the free phone number 0800 321600.

Jenny Pike

Plymouth