SIR, 

I was moved by JLL Humphrey's letter on the effect of Bovine TB in his cattle. Clearly, he feels deeply for the animals for which he cares and is not just driven by the economics of his business.

However, in addressing how best to deal with TB, the correct decisions should be made unemotionally and based upon scientific evidence. The largest independent scientific test on effectiveness of culling badgers, led by Lord John Krebs over a 10-year trial period to 2007, demonstrated that culling could only deliver, at best, a 13 to 16 per cent reduction in cattle TB. It is unsurprising that he has opposed the trials now proceeding in England.

Focus should be placed on better, more frequent testing, movement restrictions and improved bio-security measures. Even with these measures, vigilance must be maintained.

In a few instances, rogue farmers have added to the problem by switching cattle ear tags and sending less productive animals to slaughter as reported by Gloucester Trading Standards. Other factors such as mastitis, lameness and infertility lead to over ten times as many cattle being slaughtered than TB.

Mr Humphreys, in common with a number of farmers, shows some lack of understanding on the science in this area. He states that ill-informed protesters may frighten resident populations into other areas.

Unfortunately, on this point, it is he who is misinformed. The Krebs trial identified that culling in any family group caused displacement (The Perturbation Effect), not protesters. Again, the science is precise on the Perturbation Effect and for a cull to deliver the maximum predicted benefits of only 16 per cent, then precisely 70 per cent of the badgers in the area must be culled.

Although it is inarguable that some badgers carry TB, the disease is spread, as in humans, by close contact. Which is the more likely disease transmission conduit? Badgers getting in close proximity to the cattle or cattle-to -cattle transmission in the over crowded, closely packed wintering in barns? 

The Welsh Assembly Government has demonstrated clear leadership in adopting a badger vaccination program until EU Legislation allows cattle to be vaccinated and should be applauded for making decisions based upon scientific evidence.

Mr Humphrey asks 'Why is the public not presented with the honest and informed scientific case?'. The answer is, it has been but why has the English Government and NFU chosen to ignore it?

If undertaken as efficiently as possible, culling leaves 85 per cent of the problem still there. Surely the farming industry should concentrate its efforts on those issues.

Keith Roy

(Whitebrook)