Revised figures show cases of bTB in cattle down

In light of revised figures showing bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) is declining in UK cattle herds, The Wildlife Trusts repeat their call on the Government to drop badger culling from its bTB strategy. The Government’s justification for a badger cull in England has been seriously undermined by the release by Defra of revised bTB statistics at the weekend.  The statistics show that the overall number of UK cattle herds infected with bTB in 2012-13 fell by 3.4%, rather than increasing by 18% as previously stated. 

Paul Wilkinson, Head of Living Landscape at The Wildlife Trusts, said:  “This is a very embarrassing mix up and raises serious questions about Defra’s competence on this issue and the quality of its record keeping.  What is now clear is that the Government’s decision to licence pilot badger culls in England was based on inaccurate data and false claims that the disease is spreading out of control.  The new figures show that improved cattle measures have actually been more effective than previously thought.

The greatest reduction in bTB in 2012-13 was seen in Wales, where an independent strategy of strict cattle measures coupled with badger vaccination has achieved a significant 23.6% decrease in the number of infected cattle herds – without culling badgers.  In contrast, bTB incidence in England increased by 1.7% during the same period.

Paul Wilkinson continues: “The Welsh example provides clear evidence that the Government’s bTB strategy in England must change if real gains are to be made in tackling this disease.”

The Wildlife Trusts continue to urge the Government to drop badger culling from its bTB strategy and prioritise badger vaccination, alongside a comprehensive package of cattle measures: better biosecurity, stricter movement controls, improved TB testing and development of a cattle vaccine.