Badger culling extended to stop spread of tuberculosis in cattle

Badger culling has been given the go-ahead in 11 new areas across England as part of an effort to prevent the spread of tuberculosis in cattle.

New licenses for the controversial practice were announced in parts of Devon, Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset and Cheshire, and pilots will be extended in Gloucestershire and Somerset.

Opponents say killing the creatures is inhumane and ineffective, but the Government insists it is necessary to tackle the spread of tuberculosis and eventually eradicate the disease.

The bacteria lives in the lymph nodes of cattle and can be spread to humans - but in the UK, its spread is generally prevented through the pasteurisation of dairy products.

Because badgers spread the bacteria, those in favour of culling argue that killing them stops more cows catching the disease.

But it's not clear quite how effective a cull might be. While past research has shown that trapping and shooting badgers can reduce infections by 16%, other studies have proved inconclusive.

As well as culling badgers, the Government is also embarking on a vaccination programme and launching an advisory scheme for farmers in areas where there is a significant risk of the disease.

Chief vet Nigel Gibbens said: "Proactive badger control is currently the best available option and the licensing of further areas is necessary to realise disease-control benefits across the high risk area of England, rather than at local levels."

Farming minister George Eustice said the Government had a "clear plan" to eradicate the disease over the next 20 years.

He added: "Bovine TB not only has a devastating impact on our beef and dairy farms, but causes harm and distress to infected cattle.

"Vaccination is just one part of our comprehensive strategy, which also includes tighter cattle controls, improved biosecurity and badger control in areas where bovine TB is rife, to tackle the reservoir of disease in wildlife.

"While our eventual aim is to eradicate the disease completely, farmers are facing the reality of bovine TB on their farms every day."

A total of 21 areas in the England will see culls carried out this year.