BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE AND IN BADGERS Why we have to cull Badgers to beat Bovine TB Compiled By The Women s Food and Farming Union (WFU) November 2010 A Trilogy of Information Tier One Younger, Primary School children aged 5 8 and upwards. Tier Two GCSE or A Level students and as a quick reference for adults. Tier Three Comprehensive information for those who require more in-depth information, opinion formers and professionals.
WFU Mission Statement on Bovine Tuberculosis The aim is to educate each other and the general public about the problem of Bovine TB in the suffering badger population and all other wildlife. Also the suffering and impact of Bovine TB in cattle and other farmed animals, domestic animals, as well as in the farming community as a whole, and the human risk. To unite the population with the truth and present the facts - using commonsense.' Our remit was to address: the suffering of the badger population due to bovine TB the risk to cattle, other farmed animals and future food stocks the link between badgers and TB in cattle the stress and suffering inflicted on farmers and their families in areas under restriction the risk to human health The Three Tier Approach This information is contained in three documents suitable for different age groups and abilities and recognising that some people will require a quick reference while others would like more in depth information. First Tier Clear, simple facts about the problems, with simple explanation of the proposed solution and why. Tier 1 uses language which can be understood by Primary School children aged 5 8 year olds and upwards. Second Tier More depth and detail more meat on the bones more comprehensive explanation of all facets of the problem. Language and presentation appropriate for GCSE or A level students and adults who wish to have a quick reference. Third Tier Deeper explanation of the subject on all levels with reference to scientific trials and papers, suitable for those who need or wish to be better informed about all aspects of the problem, and aimed at opinion formers and professionals. Having researched and taken advice from experts in the field, we have aimed to present this information in a non-confrontational manner, accessible to all.
BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS Tier One Information ARE BADGERS THE BAD GUYS? What is Bovine TB? Bovine TB is an infectious disease, which cattle and badgers can catch. There is no cure for it yet. TB affects the lungs which makes breathing difficult and painful. It also causes pain and problems to other parts of their bodies. Other animals that can get TB are: pigs, horses, sheep, llamas, alpacas, deer and rats, dogs and cats. Some humans who work with animals that have TB can get it if the conditions are right but it is quite rare at the moment in this country. The Law 75 years ago many cattle had TB and so did many humans, some who died from it. The Government then made a law to test cattle to see if they had TB. If they test 'positive' (which means they are infected) they are killed, so they can't infect any other animals. But the other cattle in the herd have to be kept on the same farm until they pass another test in 60 days time to be sure they haven't got TB. When they get the 'all clear' they can be moved to another farm or market if the farmer needs them to. It causes problems for the farmer to find enough food and shelter if the tests don't show the 'all clear ' for a year or more. New calves are being born and need to be fed and sheltered. It makes a lot of extra work for the farmer as well! Badgers and Cattle TB was found in badgers for the 1st time in 1971 (over 40 years ago). All the cattle and badgers which had TB were killed to stop the disease spreading. This was very successful and TB almost disappeared (was eradicated) from this country by 1981. But a few people insisted that the Government make it illegal (against the law) to kill any badgers with TB. So, gradually the badgers which still had TB kept infecting each other s and nothing could be done to stop it spreading. The cattle began to catch TB again from being in the same fields as the badgers. It's always been law to kill cattle with TB but not to kill badgers with TB.
So, how many cattle get TB? There have been thousands and thousands of cattle killed to try to stop the disease in England and Wales. In England last year 24,500 cattle were killed because of TB, which has cost the taxpayer and farmers 63 million. Can't science help? Scientists have been researching for a way to make a vaccine for cattle and for badgers. So far they haven't quite got the one for cattle ready to use, although just recently they have made some progress with badger vaccine. It It is hoped that the badger vaccine will help fight the disease very soon, but it can't solve the problem on its own, without killing the infected animals, badgers and cattle, to get rid of the TB as well. Back to badgers In September 2010, the Government planned to stop the suffering of badgers with TB, in the same way as they've been doing with cattle. There are now thousands of badgers spreading TB to each other and to farmed animals, wildlife and some domestic pets. The plan is to stop the TB causing any more suffering to any more animals. Taking Action If the disease is not controlled in a quick and sensible way, more and more animals will continue to suffer an unnecessarily painful and difficult end to their life. Everyone wants to have healthy, strong animals living without pain or disease. For this to happen, the disease needs to be stopped. Many other countries have already managed to get rid of TB by culling (killing the infected animals and putting an end to their pain) and now those countries have only healthy animals!
Acknowledgements: Our very sincere thanks to all the veterinary scientists, practising vets, medical experts and lay people, who gave so generously of their time and knowledge during our research in the compilation of this document.