The Government has announced the Badger Cull, in Somerset and Gloucestershire has been delayed until next Year.

[ladybirder]

Apparently there isn't not enough time for the required number of badgers to be shot before winter sets in, so they will start next summer.

Not really a victory for those against the cull, although some people are saying in probably won't start again. Hmmm I wonder?

[jake-the-peg]

Vacinating a cow makes it appear to have TB and is currently illegal

http://www.tbfreeengl...we-vaccinate-cattle-/

This "unproven" is plying with words - there is no *numerical* figure on it but the krebbs report says:

//The sum of evidence strongly supports the view that, in Britain , badgers are a significant source of infection in cattle. Most of this evidence is indirect, consisting of correlations rather than demonstrations of cause and effect; but in total the available evidence, including the effects of completely removing badgers from certain areas, is compelling.//


http://www.bovinetb.info/docs/krebs.pdf


Such correlation evidence is similar to that first used to link smoking to lung cancer

[pdq1]

Lazygun

///The best solution should really be to vaccinate the cattle - the only reason we do not is because EU rules do not permit the cross-border sale of live animals with TB, and there is currently no way to distinguish between a positive result as a consequence of the immunization or because of a TB infection - but they are working on that. ///

Why vaccinate cattle. The Welsh are vaccinating the badgers. Although not 100% effective over time the disease in cattle will drop.

[humbersloop]

so badger shooting isn't a consolation prize for people who aren't allowed to go fox-hunting anymore??

[pdq1]

Details of the Welsh vaccination program

http://wzeu.search-re...les-politics-18440034

[LazyGun]

@JtP - I have not seen anyone claim that badgers are incapable of carrying TB. I have seen quite a bit of research to suggest that, of the likely vectors of TB transmission, badgers come some way down the list,and that measures to control cattle to cattle transmission would have a far greater impact.

There is a TB vaccine available now - the bcg vaccine - but they do not use it because they cannot currently distinguish between a vaccine response and TB using the skin response test - a test which is pretty poor anyway. And the only real reason that it is important to distinguish between a TB infected animal and one that has been vaccinated is that the rules say we need to destroy a TB infected animal to prevent transmission - a circular and redundant argument is the herd is immunised.

That costs money though- far better to go out and shoot an animal without fully determining whether or not you can trigger the required number of badger deaths (70%), or taking into account the work from the scientific advisor you are apparently relying on who points out the dangers of scattering badger social units, and just moving the potential reservoir around a bit.

There is some science behind the cull- its just not very good science.

[LazyGun]

We vaccinate the cattle because it is the cattle contracting the disease that we are concerned about. Also because it is easier to vaccinate a herd than it is to attempt to trap and vaccinate all the wild badgers in England.

[pdq1]

So the Welsh don't know what they're talking about?

[LazyGun]

@pdq = The Welsh system is better than this ridiculous "free shoot" policy. if you wish to address the reservoir of TB that badgers represent.

Since cattle are the animals we are principally concerned with, vaccinating the cattle themselves represents a better option.

[Old_Geezer]

For vaccination to be affective one should vaccinate all at risk that it is possible to vaccinate. I see no reason for it not to be done save for the legal restrictions regarding exporting live cattle to other countries, which, 'I am given to understand', we don't do a lot of anyway. But of course that wouldn't be as much fun as an 'extermination of wildlife' programme.

[Quizmonster]

Thanks for your kind comment, Chap.

[humbersloop]

More muddle

http://www.guardian.c...ote-government-defeat

[ladybirder]

Thanks for your link humbersloop. I've lifted a link from your link showing what Brian May has to say about it. I'm pleased that he thinks this could lead to the abandonment of the badger culling policy because we are a lot nearer to a vaccine solution for cattle than we thought. I'm sure that will pee off Mr Owen Paterson who looked as if he personally couldn't wait to get out there and blast away at old brock asap.
http://www.guardian.c...reprieve-abandon-cull

[Quizmonster]

It looks as if what I described as a J-turn earlier in this thread has almost certainly become a fully-fledged U-turn rather earlier than I predicted!

[chaptazbru]

^ Yay !!!

[ladybirder]

I never count my chickens ... qm. But I hope you're right but we may have to wait awhile to find out.