WRITTEN QUESTION E-2631/98

by Nel van Dijk (V) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Threat to the badger (meles meles) in the United Kingdom

How can the Commission claim with so much certainty in its answer dated 30 March 1998(1) to Question P-0787/98 by Mr Doeke Eisma that, since the early 1970s, the badger has become involved in the spreading of bovine tuberculosis in south-west England and Wales?

Is the Commission aware that, according to the Kreb report, the involvement of badgers in the cycle of infection in cattle is not proven and that there is no indication of such involvement in any country other than the United Kingdom and Ireland?

On what evidence does the Commission base its claim that "serious public health concerns are at stake"?

Is the possible damage that might be caused by infected badgers proportionate to the number of badgers that would be killed if the recommendations set out in the Kreb report were applied?

Is the Commission not invoking too glibly in this case the provisions concerning derogations set out in the Berne Convention?

(1) OJ C 310, 9.10.1998, p. 129.

Joint answer

to Written Questions P-2621/98 and E-2631/98 given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Tuberculosis (TB) is not widespread in all badger populations in the United Kingdom. However, where it is present, a high incidence is frequently found. During 1997, in badger removal operations, 27.8 % of culled badgers were affected overall, with 48 % in Sussex, 43 % in Hereford and 82 % in Gwent. The removal of these animals is clearly beneficial to the badger population as a whole. However, complete eradication of TB has proven to be difficult.

The Kreb report was commissioned to obtain better information about the role of the badger in the epidemiology of TB, and to compare the efficacy of different disease eradication strategies. The report recommended that three options should be investigated: proactive culling before breakdowns occur, reactive culling in response to breakdowns and no badger culling. The British government has accepted these recommendations.

These trials will be carried out in areas at highest risk of repeated TB breakdowns. It is likely, therefore, that a significant percentage of culled badgers will already be affected, and removal of them will reduce the level of infection, reducing the threat to other badgers, both inside and outside the culling area, and to humans through cattle. There is no suggestion that there should be a total extermination of the badger in the United Kingdom.

More importantly, it is expected that the resulting information will permit the United Kingdom to refine its policy towards eradication of TB. This will limit the extent of badger culling to the minimum necessary to achieve its objectives.

The Kreb report also concluded that the available evidence strongly supports the view that badgers are a significant source of TB in cattle, although it is not possible to state how large a contribution badgers make to cattle infection.

Although it has been assumed in the past that the strain of organism (mycobacterium bovis) carried by the badgers poses little threat to humans, further studies are needed to show this. At present, most diagnoses in humans are made on clinical grounds. This does not eliminate the possibility that some cases are caused by mycobacterium bovis. This gives rise to clear grounds for serious public health concerns, bearing in mind the severe, often fatal, nature of the clinical disease.

The Commission does not view the culling measures recommended in the Kreb report as contrary to or incompatible with European nature protection policy, in view of the limited areas involved, and the compensatory measures for badger protection which have been already taken in the greater part of the United Kingdom.

The Commission welcomes scientific studies that will assist in removing a source of disease for animals and man, and ensure that the extent of culling of a wild animal species during essential disease control operations is kept to a minimum.