The NFU accepts and supports the Krebs scientific culling experiment, but are urging Government to implement the 10 triplet areas by the end of this year and have proposed that the trial be extended to other affected areas that are big enough to accommodate triplets. Sufficient resources must be allocated to speed up and enhance the results. The NFU demands action for hotspots outside of the trial areas, to include additional testing, wildlife surveys and culling of badgers in areas experiencing lingering bovine tuberculosis. Action now will prevent these areas developing into major problems in the future. The NFU, with the current evidence available, cannot recommend to its members to invest in unproven management measures.
Farms are all different and they all pose their separate problems.
Therefore it is unrealistic to think these can be solved by a few simple management changes. The NFU asks the Government to recognise that there is a need for the establishment of a similar scheme to the calf processing aid scheme, to prevent overstocking and welfare problems on breakdown farms. The NFU supports research into the development of a cattle vaccine and urges that the Government investigates other avenues relating to the origin and transmission of bovine tuberculosis. Further research into badger vaccines will be a waste of taxpayers money. The NFU supports the current MAFF testing regime, if properly administered.