BVA Criticises Badger Vaccine Project
The British Veterinary Association has criticised the conclusions drawn by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust in its report on badger vaccine deployment.
The report takes into consideration the effectiveness of the Trust's programme of deploying the injectable BadgerBCG vaccine in seven nature reserves covering 170 hectares during the summer. Its conclusion is that the badger vaccine is a viable alternative to culling in the battle against bovine TB, but lacks evidence to support this claim.
BVA President, Carl Padgett, said that, while welcoming the initiative by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, the work "must not be confused with an investigation into the effectiveness of the badger vaccine in reducing or eradicating bovine TB."
He stressed: "To conclude from this report that the badger vaccine is a viable alternative to culling in eradicating TB is unrealistic at best and spin at worst."
The vaccine has no protective effect on infected badgers and at least 30-40% of badgers in the area will be infected. Many young badgers will therefore become infected before they can be injected.
Mr Padgett cited Defra's Badger Vaccine Deployment Project as likely to provide more information.
He added: "Vaccination of badgers certainly has a role to play in an effective TB eradication programme but it is only one tool in the toolbox."
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
