My blog rate has been very low since the election. Politics affects charities quite significantly and I found myself becoming ultra careful over my choice of subject matter. Whilst I write as me, my words could be associated with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust policy.
Charities are not allowed to campaign politically and I could not risk the Trust being damaged by association with my opinons. 16 charities have found themselves subject to investigation because of accusations of political bias.
Bovine TB became a political issue during the election because the two parties that now form the government chose to take a significantly different line over badger culling than the Labour party.
My view remains that the culling of badgers is not a means of controlling and reducing Bovine TB in cattle. Culling is difficult, expensive and scientifically unproven. Even in culling trial areas where it has been shown to have a transient local impact (and no overall benefit); its effect has been merely to slow the rate of increase in cattle infection. This is not a solution to a chronic problem.
The vaccine for badgers is at the stage of field trials and I am told that there is very encouraging news about its effectiveness. However, even at best, vaccine is only part of disease control which needs a necessary mix of cattle testing, biosecurity measures and transport restrictions. A vaccine for cattle is not likely to be ready for testing until 2015.
I very much hope that government decisions about bovine TB are sensible and balanced. It would be bad for all concerned if hasty action led to greater cost, confusion of policy and muddled outcomes.
