Thank you for contacting me and for raising your concerns.
Bovine TB has taken a terrible toll on farmers, leading to the loss of highly prized animals and, in the worst cases, valued herds. It has devastating impacts on farming businesses up and down the country and has cost the taxpayer over £100 million every year.
I note that the Government has announced the start of work on a new eradication strategy. I understand that this strategy involves working with farmers, vets, scientists and conservationists to rapidly strengthen and deploy a range of disease control measures. The strategy is part of the Government's ambition to end the badger cull by the end of this Parliament.
I welcome action which seeks to accelerate work on the development of a cattle vaccine, which is a strong potential solution to help eradicate this disease. The Minister has confirmed that planning has advanced on the next stage of field trials which will assess cattleBCG vaccination and the companion DIVA skin test on a broader cohort of herds to further inform the Government's collective planning for delivery.
The Government has also committed to surveying the badger population, conducting a wildlife surveillance programme, launching a Badger Vaccinator Field Force, and launching a badger vaccination study to increase badger vaccination.
I will be interested to monitor the practicality and successfulness of vaccinating the wild badger population.
When culling has proven to be effective in reducing bovine TB in cull areas by 45 per cent after three years of culling and by 50 per cent after four years, it is important the Government considers the efficacy of their approach. I will monitor any developments closely and hold the Government to its commitments. I will seek to ensure that any decisions the Government takes are driven by science and data.
