Originally from: Farmtalking
                        
Tuesday 3 October 2006

The RSPCA is today welcoming new scientific research which suggests cattle could be to blame for spreading bovine tuberculosis to badgers – and that any badger cull could spread the disease yet further.

The research was carried out by scientists from the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) and from universities in Edinburgh, London, Oxford and Strathclyde, as well as Government laboratories. It provides new evidence that cattle are responsible for transmitting bovine TB to badgers and that culling badgers can actually increase levels of the disease among the badger population.

The RSPCA has been campaigning against a possible cull of badgers and has long argued that such a move could make matters much worse. RSPCA wildlife senior scientific officer Colin Booty said: "This research provides yet further evidence that killing badgers is never going to be a simple solution to the complex problems of bovine TB in cattle.

"All we've ever asked people to do is look at the science – and
these findings show that any moves to a cull could be potentially disastrous for cattle, for badgers and for farmers. Our view has always been informed by science, and by the robust advice of experts such as the Science Advisory Council, the ISG and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency."

The RSPCA believes the new research reinforces the argument that
Defra's consultation last December was premature, in advance of the full report on the badger-culling trial and associated research. Further scientific results from research related to the trial have stillto appear and the ISG's final report is due next year.

The Government's public consultation on badger-culling received a
record 47,472 responses, more than 95% of which opposed a cull.