Big rise in TB cattle slaughterings

Between January 1 and March 31, more than 12,000 cattle were slaughtered as reactors, inconclusives or direct contacts, a 19 per cent increase on the same period in 2008.

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The increase can be largely attributed to a 17 per cent rise in the number of animals tested.

The latest figures suggest there will be another big year-on-year rise in cattle slaughterings this year, following the 27 per cent increase to nearly 40,000 last year.

More than 5,000 farmers were under TB restrictions at some point in the first three months of this year.

During a debate in the House of Commons last week, Defra Secretary Hilary Benn said he recognised ‘how extremely hard’ it was for farmers and their families living with this ‘devastating disease’.

He reiterated he had committed £20 million to a TB vaccine programme and that Defra was ‘working closely’ with the TB Eradication Group on possible solutions.

Isolated position

But Shadow Defra Secretary Nick Herbert said Mr Benn was ‘increasingly isolated’ in his position on badger culling, given the Welsh Assembly, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and even former Farming Minister Jane Kennedy all appeared to support a cull.

“We cannot continue slaughtering 40,000 cattle a year, or preside over a bill now rising to £600 million a year and heading towards £1 billion, and do nothing, simply waiting for a vaccine that may or may not be effective,” he said.