This is a matter I have actually looked into in some detail, given my responsibilities within the Lib Dems for both agriculture and animal welfare issues.
It is clear that the incidence of Bovine TB is increasing rapidly in certain parts of the country, most notably the South West and South Wales, but also in Sussex. It is also clear that there is a triangular infection route, namely cattle-cattle, cattle-badger, and badger-cattle. It follows therefore that any sensible policy to deal with Bovine TB has to take account of all three transmission routes.
In respect of cattle-cattle transmission, this is a major source of the infection being spread and I have advocated the introduction of pre-movement testing of cattle and indeed post-movement testing of cattle as well. I also think we need to try to minimise extended movements of cattle where possible, which is one of the reasons why I have advocated the reintroduction of local abattoirs, to avoid the very long journeys which are now made, to the detriment of both the animal and the farmer. In my constituency for example there used to be abattoirs at both Wivelsfield and at Ringmer and now both have gone.
In respect of badger-cattle transmissions, I am afraid that I have concluded on the evidence I have seen that this is a route for infection and action does need to be taken to tackle this arm of the triangle as well. It is unhelpful that no test exists to determine the presence of TB in live badgers and this has undoubtedly made matters worse. The absence of any vaccine for cattle is also a serious drawback and I regularly push Ministers for more work to be done on this front. In the meantime however I am afraid I have reluctantly concluded that there is a case for the removal of badgers from infected areas, providing this is done comprehensively and of course humanely.
The Krebs trials were not carried out properly and because of that, they have indeed, in my view, made matters worse. I do think there is an argument therefore for identifying particular hotspots and removing the badger population from those hotspots. Part of the reason I have concluded that this is appropriate is that without such action TB will spread more widely, and can easily cross over into other species and ultimately into humans. The other reason is that when badgers contract TB, frankly it is not a very pleasant experience for the badger either and there is now a welfare issue in allowing a disease like this to grow in the wild population.
It is not sensible to allow farmers to shoot badgers on their land. That will not eradicate the population and merely allow other badgers to fill the gap, as you refer to in your letter. It is also an unsatisfactory way in animal welfare terms of dealing with the badger. If badgers do have to be killed, then I think it is probably more humane to gas a sett than to allow random shooting. Nor would I support the use of snares.
This is a very difficult subject, therefore I find it quite distressing to reach the conclusion that some elimination of the badger population maybe necessary, but I have done so because I feel that the animal welfare implications of not doing so are probably worse.
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