BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS AND BADGERS

Early day motion 1788, tabled 9 March 2006 by Eric Martlew (Labour). Signed by 75 members.

That this House notes that tuberculosis in cattle is increasing by 18 per cent. per year and over 20,000 cattle are slaughtered annually following tuberculosis tests; calls on the Government to note the robust scientific evidence presented by Professor John Bourne, the Chairman of the Independent Scientific Group on bovine tuberculosis that a badger cull will almost certainly make the situation worse; is concerned that the proposed methods of culling badgers by snaring or gassing are inhumane and that the available scientific evidence indicates that the vast majority of badgers are not infected with tuberculosis; and urges the Government to act on the clear scientific conclusion that pre- and post-cattle movement measures should be implemented as soon as possible in order to tackle tuberculosis in cattle.

Signatures by party: Labour 62, Liberal Democrat 6, Conservative 4, DUP 1, Independent 1, Respect 1.