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Badger cull proposals rejected Badger cull proposals rejected
(20 minutes later)
The government has decided against a cull of badgers to control TB in English cattle, the BBC understands. The government has decided against a cull of badgers in England to control TB in cattle, the BBC understands.
The policy announcement, which was due to be made next Monday, goes against the recommendations of the former Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir David King.The policy announcement, which was due to be made next Monday, goes against the recommendations of the former Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir David King.
Last year, he told ministers that culling badgers could be effective in controlling the spread of the disease.Last year, he told ministers that culling badgers could be effective in controlling the spread of the disease.
The decision has angered the National Farmers' Union, which claims cattle TB has already cost the industry millions.The decision has angered the National Farmers' Union, which claims cattle TB has already cost the industry millions.
Its president, Peter Kendell, told BBC News that the government had "ducked the issue" and that the NFU would be organising a protest outside parliament next week.Its president, Peter Kendell, told BBC News that the government had "ducked the issue" and that the NFU would be organising a protest outside parliament next week.
Some 4,000 herds were affected with TB in 2007, up nearly 18% on the previous year. He added that farmers would be "devastated" by the decision.
The NFU claims that if left unchecked, the disease would cost the government £1bn in compensation and control measures. It's not practical to carry out that kind of scorched-earth cull over a prolonged period for a policy that may not even work Lord Krebs Send us your comments Some 4,000 herds were affected with TB in 2007, up nearly 18% on the previous year. It's not practical to carry out that kind of scorched-earth cull over a prolonged period for a policy that may not even work Lord Krebs Send us your comments
The NFU claims that if left unchecked, the disease would cost the government £1bn in compensation and control measures.
But ministers have instead accepted the scientific arguments of the Independent Scientific Group on TB in Cattle.But ministers have instead accepted the scientific arguments of the Independent Scientific Group on TB in Cattle.
The ISG's analysis - an earlier and much larger study than Sir David's - concluded that culling badgers would not be economic.The ISG's analysis - an earlier and much larger study than Sir David's - concluded that culling badgers would not be economic.
And the Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has in the past also said that public acceptance would be a factor in determining the government's policy.And the Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has in the past also said that public acceptance would be a factor in determining the government's policy.
The decision was welcomed by the prominent scientist Lord Krebs. He designed the experiments on the effectiveness of badger culling for the ISG.The decision was welcomed by the prominent scientist Lord Krebs. He designed the experiments on the effectiveness of badger culling for the ISG.
"If this report is true then Hilary Benn has made the right decision," he said. "If this report is true then Hilary Benn has made the right decision," he said. If we can't make difficult, disease-related decisions, based on science, we are in a mess Peter Kendell, NFU
The ISG's analysis showed that sustained culling over a large area for five or six years might have some effect, "but even that is not clear cut", according to Lord Krebs.The ISG's analysis showed that sustained culling over a large area for five or six years might have some effect, "but even that is not clear cut", according to Lord Krebs.
He said: "It's not practical to carry out that kind of scorched-earth cull over a prolonged period for a policy that may not even work."He said: "It's not practical to carry out that kind of scorched-earth cull over a prolonged period for a policy that may not even work."
According to Lord Krebs, the incidence of TB in cattle is increasing very slowly, and he believes that the disease could be bought under control through better surveillance and biosecurity.According to Lord Krebs, the incidence of TB in cattle is increasing very slowly, and he believes that the disease could be bought under control through better surveillance and biosecurity.
The announcement is sure to be welcomed by badger groups, who have fought a campaign against a mass cull.The announcement is sure to be welcomed by badger groups, who have fought a campaign against a mass cull.
But the NFU's Mr Kendall said the disease was spreading at an "incredible" rate and needed to be dealt with.
"This is wiping out big chunks of UK farming and is ruining farming families and the rural economy. We need to take tough decisions. It's never popular but the farming industry will be devastated."
He added that the government was failing to show leadership.
"If we can't make difficult, disease-related decisions, based on science, we are in a mess," he said.