Badger Farms and TB

werdnal · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 09:32 AM

Just heard on radio news that new research published in USA says that Badgers are not guilty of spreading TB to cattle, and in fact evidence suggests cattle are infecting badgers and that badger culling can have an adverse effect on the spread of TB.

I have no experience in farming, although I do live in a mainly dairy farming area, but have always thought it rather short sighted to blame just one species for the whole TB thing. After all, when TB was previlant in humans, it was down to poor, damp and over populated living conditions. With modern intensive farming meaning cattle are housed in an artificial environment for the winter months, surely this must have an impact on the spread of such a disease.

I appreciate this is a very emotive issue and don't want to start any argument, but would be interested to hear other member's comments.

Mr Mag00 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 09:58 AM

Quote:

I have no experience in farming, although I do live in a mainly dairy farming area, but have always thought it rather short sighted to blame just one species for the whole TB thing. After all, when TB was previlant in humans, it was down to poor, damp and over populated living conditions. With modern intensive farming meaning cattle are housed in an artificial environment for the winter months, surely this must have an impact on the spread of such a disease.

i have thought this for a number of years. I have also heard that the majority of mustelids (sp?) family carry TB
Despite farmers denying this, the animals are stressed they are milk producing machines. feeding cattle indoors encourages the badger in to feed urinate and defeacate in the barns. I have spoken to farmers about trying to make the barns badger proof as best as possible, most are not interested.

Earth Hart · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 10:29 AM

MAFF or should I say DEFRA have had a report for the last 11yrs that has never been published, reason being, it proved/showed that badgers were not at fault passing BTB to cattle.

The culprit appears to be animal husbandry & birds, they feed on cowpats, fly off to another field & the cowpat on their feet comes off on the grass, another cow comes along & eats said gress & Bingo! infected cow. Put cows in barn for winter, cough, cough, sneeze & ... yuo've guest it the herd contract BTB. The research for this report wa done here in the west country. Live traping of birds & badgers took place in infected areas & it was a young student who suggested ckecking the pats for infection, guess who got the job?

It was that student who loaned me the report. As it has never been published I can't go into detail as I was not supposed to see it.

Owl-Light · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 10:37 AM

Check out The Badger Trust TB Campaign for info.

Alan · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 10:43 AM

The US badger is a different species, though I would have thought still carries TB in the same way.

This subject has been covered widely in past threads, but will no doubt come up time and time again.

say NO to Badger cull.

clairey · #6 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 10:45 AM

It'll be intersting to see what comes out of the recent consultation on this from DEFRA. I used to work on a project looking at TB in wildlife and spending that much time on dairy farms makes you think about the husbandry issue but nearly every farmer only wants the badgers out of the way. Things are not as black and white as they seem.

Earth Hart · #7 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheryl LaBouchardiere

Check out The Badger Trust TB Campaign for info.

I've bookmarked it for later, thanks.

A small group of us during the early '80s checked out cattle farms in winter, we wrote about what we saw. No one took any notice of us. Sadly all has come to pass, what with BSE, F&M & BTB. Animal Husbandry is the main cause of all the ills that have fell upon cattle. Cattle farmers have a lot to answer for. They need to clean up their act or face closure.

Earth Hart · #8 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clairey

It'll be intersting to see what comes out of the recent consultation on this from DEFRA. I used to work on a project looking at TB in wildlife and spending that much time on dairy farms makes you think about the husbandry issue but nearly every farmer only wants the badgers out of the way. Things are not as black and white as they seem.

Looking after cattle properly costs money, find a scapegoat(brock) & let someone else cough(no pun intended) up the money for the culling.

werdnal · #9 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 12:43 PM

[quote=Alan]The US badger is a different species, though I would have thought still carries TB in the same way.QUOTE]

On hearing further reports since, I think they said that the research was published in USA, but was from data collected in the UK on british badgers.

Earth Hart · #10 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by werdnal

On hearing further reports since, I think they said that the research was published in USA, but was from data collected in the UK on british badgers.

Yes it was. Too hot for DEFRA to publish themselves I think as they have to keep the farmers happy. Glad it's come out at last but someone will try & rubbish it.