Bovine TB is a serious disease, so I support the Government's commitment to use all available means to address it through a comprehensive strategy for England to be TB free by 2038.
Cattle movement controls and testing are being strengthened to stop infection spreading between herds, and herd owners are being encouraged to improve their own biosecurity. Nevertheless, as lessons have shown from countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, where there is a reservoir of disease in wildlife this must be tackled through culling. Leading vets have supported this approach and improvements to humaneness and effectiveness are being made following the first trial year based on recommendations from the Independent Expert Panel.
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