Bovine TB Eradication Programme: Consultation on Badger Control in the Intensive Action Area

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic, debilitating, infectious disease of cattle, badgers and many other mammals, including humans. In parts of Wales the disease has escalated over the past 25 years to unsustainable levels, placing a huge financial burden on government, taxpayers and farmers. The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to eradicating bovine TB in Wales by tackling all sources of the disease.

“In the British Isles, control of cattle tuberculosis (TB) is hindered by persistent infection of wild badger (Meles meles) populations” (Jenkins et al, February 2010).

In this consultation we want your views on proposed legislation for badger culling as part of a programme to eradicate bovine TB in cattle. The draft Badger (Control Area) (Wales) Order 2010 would allow for a Government-managed cull of badgers, alongside additional cattle measures, in an Intensive Action Area in a defined part of west Wales.

The Minister for Rural Affairs has read and carefully considered the science and evidence of culling and other strategies before coming to her provisional view that a cull of badgers in the Intensive Action Area is needed. The consultation document is a summary of that evidence, which is available online www.wales.gov.uk/bovinetb and where all information sources are fully referenced. We hope that you will consider carefully the evidence we have made available as we suggest that this will help you in your response to this consultation