Covid 19 - It is strenuously denied by DEFRA...

 .. that the pandemic sweeping the country known as Covid  19 is spread by badgers. But who knows ?

Badgers are certainly a super spreader of another Grade 3 pathogen known as zoonotic Tuberculosis and our 538 Parliamentary Questions, which form the basis of this site - now in its 17th year - confirm that. From the early 1970s Ministry vets have known that, and  also that the thorough removal of diseased badgers is essential if cattle are to remain TB free.

So why would George Eustice, the current Secretary of State, on the day that yet another tranche of consultations were launched on badger control, give an interview to the Daily Telegraph  indicating that:

" ...  indefinite culling is "not acceptable", adding "Badger culling is one of the most contentious and divisive policies within our bTB eradication strategy. Our current policy enables four-year intensive cull licences in defined areas with scope for a further five years of supplementary culling."

The plan apparently is to not issue new licenses after next year (2022)  and reduce the length of supplementary culls to just two years.

His optimism is based on the availability of cattle vaccines within 5 years. Good luck with that one, George. We think the world currently has more on its mind than vaccines for cattle TB in the one country which won't control its wildlife reservoir of  the disease. Priorities George, priorities. 

The consultation documents for future strategy, (already decided) can be found on this link 

The relationship of zoonotic disease control with the PM's current bed mate, one Carrie Symonds, has all the hallmarks of being  complicit with Eustice's announcement. It also featured in the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation's wish list, at No 22. 

But it beggars belief that a minister would announce the result of a consultation, not yet collated.

But it neatly confirms what most of us already knew. That Gov.UK makes up its collective mind, then consults to get  the 'democracy' box ticked.

A shameful sham, but one that also ticks boxes on Climate change ( fly around the world - kill cattle?) but also, as if the chaotic Trans .End to Brexit wasn’t wasn’t enough, gives our exports a toxic label, when Export Health Certificates are completed. Or not. 

There is no vaccine for stupidity.

Thankyou DEFRA. 

Dr. Brian's New Year treats

 

Superannuated stargazer and guitar player,  Dr.Brian May is reported to have created a new  perfume  , bottles of which he will sign, to raise money for .... wildlife. It is said to smell of sandalwood, and badgers. Really?  How quaint.

Dr. May was also recorded on Radio this week selling his success at preventing TB on Gatcombe Farm in Devon,  by amongst other things, vaccinating the badgers locally. Sadly the interactive TB map   tells a very different story, with the latest breakdown (of many) lasting in excess of 6 months. 

And of course Dr. May in an interview offered to Farmers Weekly earlier this year  described such vaccinations as 'futile'.

 

With this we would agree, but not for the reasons given by an aging rock star, hand in hand with the most political of vets. Badger vaccination is indeed 'futile' because as we explained in this posting after four big trials in two countries, it did nothing at all to reduce TB in cattle. Check out the links in that post. 

But Dr. Brian, turning this on its metaphorical head has put the blame on cattle - in particular, slurry and the skin test. How odd then that the same skin test has cleared so many countries of zoonotic tuberculosis. Completely. 

The only thing done differently is their control strategy for infected wildlife, known to interact with the regularly  tested sentinel cattle and slaughter of  any reactors. 

And below is the result: depending on the thoroughness of  the control the better the result for cattle. 

 Sadly, with our Prime minister's  current  bed mate and many of  her friends active on the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, (CAWF) their wish list of  vaccinating badgers (No 22 out of 32 Beatrix Potter type wishes) may be encouraged. However futile that may be.