Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 22nd September 2017
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Labour questions Defra on badger cull expansion
Labour MP David Drew has accused Defra of ignoring ‘an evidence-based, scientific approach’.

David Drew MP accuses government of ignoring scientific evidence 

The Labour party has written to Defra asking for clarification on why the government has decided to significantly expand the badger cull.

In an open letter, shadow Defra minister David Drew said that he was surprised that the government had increased the cull to a further 11 areas. ‘You appear to have done so without any consultation of statement providing the rationale for such a dramatic move,’ he said.

In the letter, Mr Drew - Labour MP for Stroud - accuses Defra of ignoring ‘an evidence-based, scientific approach’, adding that it had ‘fallen back upon the tried, tested and failed policy of culling’. He calls on Mr Eustice to provide clarity on what new scientific evidence there is that the cull has been a success.

He writes: ‘The only academic study I can find is the paper by Brunt et al in the journal Ecology and Evolution. Their general conclusion is that it is far too early to be able to derive any meaningful data let alone evidence from the first two years of study.’

Mr Drew also questions what happens to badger carcasses that are collected after being dispatched. ‘Why has no attempt been been made to investigate what percentage of those animals were carrying bovine TB?’ He said. ‘Surely if only cattle carcasses are studied that is one one side of the equation’.

He asks Defra what other reservoirs of bovine TB in the wildlife population are being studied for the incidence of the disease. Furthermore, as cattle to cattle transmission of the disease remains the prime cause, he questions what plans are in place to deal with this aspect of the problem.

Defra announced last week that it would be granting 11 additional licences for badger control to parts of Devon, Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset and Cheshire. The update followed a consultation on licensed badger control to which the BVA, BVZS and the Association of Government Veterinarians submitted a formal, joint response.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.