A Shropshire diary farmer has welcomed news of consultation on badger control calling for “anything” to stem the spread of bovine tuberculosis which he said is “running rife” in the countryside.

Andrew Bebb, who farms near Hanwood, in Shrewsbury, said long-term solutions also needed to be found after a consultation programme was announced by environment chiefs.

The move comes as part of a package of measures which set out the Government’s clear commitment to develop affordable options for a carefully-managed and science-led policy of badger control in areas with high levels of bovine tuberculosis in cattle.

Ministers propose licensing farmers in England to shoot any badgers on their land.

The Government says culling is badly needed to curb a disease that costs the UK more than £100 million per year.

Mr Bebb said: “We want to see healthy cattle and healthy badgers and this is not about badger eradication it is simply about disease control.

“I welcome anything that will help to control this disease which has been allowed to run rife through the wildlife population.

“No one wants to see animals culled unnecessarily so we have to be sure of our facts and be certain these animals are diseased.

“We also welcome other measures including vaccination although this is a long-term solution.

“We will now have to see what comes from the consultation.”

The National Farmers’ Union has been lobbying for years for action to combat the disease claiming it is threatening the future of many farming families in the beef and dairy sector and costing taxpayers upwards of £84 million.

NFU president Peter Kendall said: “When it came to power this coalition Government said it was committed to look at ways of tackling bovine TB in the hotspot areas of England where the levels of the disease are high and persistent.

“This week’s announcement sets out the Government’s clear commitment to tackling this difficult issue. TB is out of control.

“The disease not only has a huge impact on farming businesses through movement restrictions and the slaughter of cattle, it also has an enormous emotional impact on farming families as they work to keep up with this terrible cycle of infection and re-infection.

“This is the first real step on the long road ahead to securing both healthy cattle and a healthy wildlife population.”

Mr Kendall added: “Our ultimate aim must be the eradication of this pernicious disease.”

By Sam Pinnington