Call to end "badger massacre" as bovine tuberculosis increases in reform areas | Environment

Tuberculosis rates in cattle have increased in the two initial regions of the country where badger slaughter has been tested in the past five years, raising questions about the benefits of scaling up the program .

The figures are confirmed in official data released discreetly last week when the government announced plans to expand the controversial reform in England, which, according to activists, could see more than 60,000 badgers killed this year.

The numbers suggest that, after rapidly reducing levels, bovine tuberculosis is now increasing in areas in Gloucestershire and Somerset.

The analysis of the veterinarian and former government scientist, Dr. Iain McGill, who called for a public inquiry into the BSE scandal, reveals that the proportion of herds suffering from bovine tuberculosis in the pilot area of ​​Gloucestershire is from 6.9% at the beginning of slaughter to 9%. over the five-year period.

The rate of new confirmed cases of bovine tuberculosis – known as the incidence rate – was 13.2% last year, compared to 12.7% at the time of the reform in 2013.

In Somerset, the incidence rate has decreased, but the disease has spread to all herds. Official data show that the proportion of herds suffering from bovine tuberculosis rose from 6.1% when slaughter started at 6.7% at the end of last year. Defra chooses not to focus on five-year data. Instead, he cites a previous report that had revealed a decrease in bovine tuberculosis during the first two years of slaughter.

"The government had all the data but only published them simultaneously with the announcement on Wednesday of the 62,000 badger kill," said McGill, who called for a public inquiry into the government's treatment of the reform.

"That they could have tried to hide this data in order to justify such a massacre of protected wildlife, while glossingly referring to the 2015 data to support their record, is corrupt and criminal. Defra manipulated and concealed scientific data to such an extent that it amounts to systemic scientific fraud. "

A spokesman for Defra said: "Bovine tuberculosis remains one of the biggest threats to animal health in the UK, causing considerable damage to hard-working farmers and rural communities."

"A detailed analysis of the effect of slaughter in the first two slaughter areas in the first two years showed a 58% reduction of disease in cattle in the Gloucestershire Badger Control Area and a 21% reduction in Somerset after two years. Badger control over unreformed areas. "

The spokesman added: "There is no single measure to easily fight the disease. That's why we are pursuing a range of interventions to eradicate the disease by 2038, including tighter controls on livestock movements, regular testing and vaccinations. "

The government has authorized more than 40 slaughter areas across England. The Defra, however, said it was too early for other slaughter areas to show a decline in the number of new TB cases.

Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP, Queen's Animal Guitarist and Advocate Brian May, and the Badger Trust joined calls for a public slaughter inquiry.