Sharp increase in bovine TB

Last year there were 149 incidents of bovine TB reported in the county, according to Government figures. This compares to just 39 in 2000 and is a huge increase of more than 280 per cent.

The figures have come to light following a parliamentary question tabled by Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski.

The Conservative, who is chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Dairy Group, said the results were "startling".

"This is not a sign that the Government's current policy is working," he said.

"Furthermore it is of great concern that over these last six years the incidents have increased so dramatically.

"This cannot be due to farmers alone, as they are complying with the strict Defra regulations. A solution has to be sought, and soon, that is more than just further regulations on the cattle industry.

"As a result I will be renewing my lobbying of the Government for urgent action."

A recent report by the Independent Scientific Group (ISG) concluded that a cull of badgers, blamed by many farmers for spreading the disease, would not be cost-effective.

Oliver Cartwright, NFU regional public relations officer for the West Midlands, agreed the problem was getting worse.

He said: "Bovine tuberculosis is a ballooning problem and it's spreading throughout Shropshire and heading to other areas as well.

Controlling cattle alone is not enough. We are in favour of some sort of responsible wildlife cull and were very disappointed with the ISG report as culling has been successful in just about every other country in the world.

"The cattle control measures alone are not doing the job and this appears to be backed up by the new figures."

By Tom Warren