The Welsh Government finally accepted science and abandoned the controversial badger cull. The announcement was made to the Senedd (Welsh Assembly) yesterday. Badgers are the bison of the British Isles in that farmers and stockmen blame the "wildlife reservoir" for spreading disease. The environment minister for Wales announced that badgers will be vaccinated for bovine tuberculosis instead of culled as part of its program to eradicate bovine tuberculosis disease. She acknowledged that bovine tuberculosis has a significant financial impact on the farming sector. The minister asked Wales' chief veterinary officer to design a five year program of vaccination beginning in the Pembrokeshire area identified for intensive action. The minister said the decision was difficult, but considering the science review ordered last year and other advice, the minister is not convinced a cull would have reduced the incidence of TB in cattle. The Farmers Union is not convinced that a vaccination program will work since it must cover thousands of square miles to be effective. The decision was hailed as a victory for science by wildlife conservationists. However, two pilot culls will go ahead in England. According to DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs) around 25,000 cattle are slaughtered annually in England because of bovine TB. DEFRA is relying on research that allegedly shows a 16% reduction in new infections if badgers are culled.
