SIR, I am writing in response to the letter that appeared in a recent edition of the Beacon entitled 'Badger Culls Ineffective'. In it, Mr Keith Roy makes a number of statements concerning bovine TB which need to be challenged. Firstly, he suggests that the findings of the Randomised Badger Control Trial ('The Krebs Trial') show that badger culling is ineffective as a means of controlling bovine TB (bTB). Subsequent scientific analysis of the TB statistics in the cull areas has shown that in the five years after culling had ceased, the levels of new infection of herds in these areas had decreased by 30 per cent (Crawshaw et al). He talks about the perturbation effect causing an increase in the incidence of TB around the cull areas as badgers were disturbed and dispersed. This effect has largely been shown to be temporary by the same follow up study, which showed that in areas around the proactive cull areas, TB incidence fell by over four per cent in the five years following the cessation of culling. We therefore have scientific evidence from this and many other trials (eg Thornbury, Three Counties) that controlling badger populations in areas with bovine TB has a positive effect on the incidence of bTB in cattle in those areas. The Welsh Government's attempt to carry out a controlled cull in the Intensive Action Area in West Wales was not rejected on scientific grounds but was stopped on a legal technicality. He then makes a second point about farming practices being a major contributing factor in the spread of bTB. It is true, that some modern management practices do affect bTB incidence eg the increased growth of maize as an animal feed. However, it should be remembered that there is a limit to what "thorough implementation of the rigid controls on farmers and improved biosecurity," can do without addressing the high levels of infection present in wildlife that exist in certain parts of the country. He goes on to talk about the significant reduction in the number of cattle being killed in Wales in the last four years. It should be noted that this apparently large reduction is against an artificially created spike caused by a huge increase in the number of cattle tested in Wales when Health Check Wales came in late 2008. Lastly, he makes the point about badger vaccination being the way forward. I refer you back to my original article which outlines the problems with vaccination. Yes it has a role, especially in areas on the edge of an infected locality where the badgers are uninfected. It will not be sufficiently effective in an area like ours where the infection in badgers is very prevalent. Robert Smith B Vet med MRCVS (Farm First Veterinary Services)