BOVINE TB (No. 2)

Early day motion 1261, tabled 13 December 2005 by Colin Breed (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 19 members.

That this House notes that bovine tuberculosis in cattle now costs the taxpayer £90 million in compensation to farmers and that 24,000 cattle were slaughtered in England and Wales last year; notes the growing evidence of the link with badgers in the chain of infection and the distressing effect the disease has on both badgers and other wildlife; believes that it is now necessary for a combination of measures to tackle infection by introducing an immediate and focused programme of badger control in known and persistent hotspot areas in the South West of England, a pre- and post-cattle movement tuberculosis testing regime, and enhanced Government support for the research and development of an effective vaccine; and urges the Government to adopt this strategy as soon as possible.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 10, DUP 4, Labour 3, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.