§ Lord Brettasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they will bring further areas into the badger culling trial recommended by Professor Krebs so as to address questions about the incidence of tuberculosis in cattle. [HL3972]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Hayman)The Government have now identified two more badger culling trial areas. One will be located in Gloucestershire and the other in Devon. This brings to 10 the number of areas in the trial, in line with the advice of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG), overseeing the trial.
The Government are committed to a wide-ranging strategy aimed at finding a science-based solution to TB in cattle. The badger culling trial is an important element of that strategy, designed to establish what role, if any, badgers play in the spread of TB in cattle; and whether localised culling of badgers helps to reduce TB in cattle herds. The trial is subject to strict welfare safeguards, including independent audit, and will not endanger badger populations. The ISG expect results to be available by the end of 2004, possibly earlier depending on the strength of any association between TB in cattle and badgers.