The Secretary of State for the Environment, Hilary Benn, has announced (19 March) that next year will see the implementation of the first stage in Defra’s plan to vaccinate badgers against bovine TB. The disease costs the farming industry millions of pounds each year and results in thousands of cattle infected with the disease going to slaughter.

Six areas, precise locations to be announced after consultation with the farming industry, will be the focus for the first stage of the vaccination scheme, which will begin in summer 2010 and continue for at least five years. The Conservatives have challenged the Government’ focus on vaccination, calling for a badger cull. The UK Government’s plans are also at odds with those of the Welsh Assembly Government, which is expected to announce further details of its plan to instigate a large-scale badger cull in Wales, later this month.

Defra will begin to train farmers and vets, who will be responsible for trapping and vaccinating the badgers, later this year.

See more at the BBC Website