Badger cull is just one solution to threat of TB

AS a nurse who trained in paediatrics in the 1950s, I can well remember the children I nursed who suffered, and died, from tuberculosis. It was a terrible disease and was treated with drugs still used today to which the bacterium is already becoming resistant.

Conservation and the preservation of domestic cattle, wildlife and countrywide habitats are all important. At the same time we need a sense of balance on all sides.

Culling of badgers is but one solution to the problem of cross infection to cattle. Another is the option of allowing the bacterium to flourish, for hundreds of cattle to be “culled” and many farmers to lose their herds and their livelihoods. There are enough thriving badgers to survive some local culling. We have the choice, but must not forget the overall threat of TB infecting far more than local cattle herds, as bad as that already is. Every practical and affordable solution needs to be used to contain this horrible disease before there is a worse disaster.