THE NFU is stepping up pressure for a cull of TB- infected badgers after what has been described as a 'deeply disappointing' meeting with David Miliband, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Defra has put on hold any decision until at least late autumn, while the recent drop in the number of cases of TB in cattle is investigated. In Devon, 6,195 cattle were slaughtered as TB reactors in 2005, against 1,795 in the first five months of this year – a drop of 66 per cent. The reasons are unclear, but there is no doubt that this latest delay has caused fury among NFU ranks, which have accused the government of foot-dragging. Devon county NFU chairman Paul Griffiths said that if farmers take action into their own hands, the government has only itself to blame. While not condoning any break in the law, he said: 'With falling prices and reduced compensation, farmers can no longer afford this disease. 'We have begged and begged government to have a controlled cull in hotspot areas to get on top of it. If farmers have lost patience and want to protect their families and businesses, can anyone blame them? 'We're not doing badgers any favours, letting them take 12 months to die of an unpleasant disease.' He said there are reports of bTB being passed to domestic cats in Devon and Cornwall, and there was a danger of it being passed to humans. Many farmers attribute the drop in cases to the different type of tuberculin being used in tests, but it is understood that the Secretary of State has vehemently rejected any link. Andy Biggs, president of the British Cattle Vetinerary Association, does not believe the two are connected. He said numbers were dropping before the Dutch Lelystad tuberculin was introduced last November. 'As scientists, we need to look at the data properly. From 2002 there was a fairly steady rise year on year, then a big jump in 2005. Unsurprisingly, in 2006, it has dropped back, but is it really a drop?' He said that the headline figures showing more cattle being tested with fewer reactors found was no cause for optimism either. 'If you move an infected cow from a dirty area to a clean area, you move TB with it, it's not rocket science. Then herds all around have to be tested, but you wouldn't expect them to have a TB problem. 'Everyone is pressurising to have an answer. 'The bottom line is we haven't a clue what is going on. It is amazingly complex.' Meanwhile, NFU office-holders are seeking the views of members ahead of their stakeholder meeting on August 24, when it will plan the next step in its campaign.
