Government must act over Bovine TB

5.54.30pm GMT Sat 7th Nov 2009

Sarah Carr, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Hereford and South Herefordshire has called for the government to act on tackling bovine TB and to take heed of the recommendations of the Tuberculosis Eradication Group (TBEG) when they report back.

Hilary Benn MP, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has stated that he has accepted the recommendations of the latest TBEG report but would not commit to acting upon the final report's recommendations.

Sarah Carr said:

"Bovine TB results in thousands of cattle being slaughtered across England and Wales every year and a herd breakdown can be the death of a struggling farm business.

"Acting on the policy recommendations of the TBEG could result in a significant drop in the number of cases of Bovine TB. If the government does not take notice of the recommendations it would be another example of wasting the time of all those involved and wasting public money. It is imperative that the government changes their policy as soon as possible under the guidance of experts like the TBEG to prevent further damage to farmers' livestock."