Background
The EU is a trading block of 28 member states, and has strict rules in force concerning the health of animals traded and moved within its borders. As a result, there is a ban in place on the movement of cattle infected with TB from the UK to other union countries.
To retain the right to export live cattle (which the website authors consider cruel, undesirable and unnecessary) and to export dairy products and meat - UK herds are regularly tested for TB. Provided no TB is discovered, animals and products from those herds can be exported to the EU.
If any cattle do test positive for TB the herd (or at least individual animals) is/are culled - compensation is paid to the farmer (often below the market value of loss) and exports are prohibited until that farm is declared TB free again.
Badgers carry TB and it is known that badgers and cattle can cross-infect each other.
In the UK TB is common in certain areas. In fact, "Bovine TB is the biggest threat to the livestock industry in England. The disease has a significant financial and emotional impact on farmers and the current control regime costs the taxpayer around £100 million a year." according to an article on the UK Parliament website.
So why not just vaccinate cattle as is done to prevent people from getting TB?
There are several possible reasons -
1) Even if all cattle were vaccinated - they would not all be immune to TB and some would get the infection despite being vaccinated.
2) Once cattle are vaccinated it is no longer possible to distinguish between a vaccinated animal (free of TB) and a vaccinated but TB infected animal (a laboratory test to achieve this is under development). Consequently, vaccinating cattle is prohibited under EU rules and if they were to be vaccinated at this time - it would result in the herd being classified as "infected" and the animals and their products could no longer be exported to the EU. (Council Directive 78/52/EEC and Council Directive 64/432/EEC)
The government has decided that its main priority is to protect the ability of the UK to continue exporting live cattle and other cattle derived products to the EU.
The EU for its part has rules which will only facilitate UK exports if animals are TB free - and this can not be guaranteed if the available vaccination is used.
The result!
Badgers are being culled in order to protect the UK's ability to keep trading with the EU and other non-EU countries like Russia.
Any alternatives to culling? The following suggestions have been proposed
1. Suspend live transport of animals to the continent. This trade was estimated to be worth less than £500,000 in 2011 and to protect badgers - this relatively minor sacrifice has been deemed to be worth it by some commentators.
2. Apply for a derogation from the current EU law which prevents export of cattle products from vaccinated herds - this position should change anyway in 2015 if the anticipated new test is licensed which will enable infected and non-infected vaccinated animals to be distinguished.
3. Adopt more regular testing of herds in England in line with the regimens used in the other parts of the UK. In addition, the UK must improve biosecurity on farms which EU inspections have shown are currently inadequate is some respects - http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/oct/04/farming-shortcomings-badger-cull-bovine-tb?CMP=twt_gu
4. More thorough abattoir inspection of carcasses from infected areas should be carried out.
5. Vaccinate cattle and badgers. This should be a long term program. (Vaccinating cattle should be the main goal, because animals other than badgers carry TB - so it could be argued that vaccinating badgers alone may not eradicate the problem and other species of wildlife may also need to be vaccinated - or culled [which the authors of the petition do not support]).
6. Continue investing in the development and licensing of a test to distinguish between a TB free vaccinated animal and a TB infected vaccinated animal. Ensure the EU accelerate their processes to grant permission for the UK to vaccinate.
7. Continue the R&D required to produce an even more effective vaccination against TB for cattle, badgers and other species of wildlife. (The government should consider giving pharmaceutical companies tax breaks to encourage them to invest in the R&D).
8. Re-direct money to properly compensate farmers when their herds are culled and to provide emotional support and counselling.
It is interesting to note that the pilot badger cull was found to be ineffective and inhumane by an independent panel of experts. Unfortunately the UK government has decided to continue with its culling project - but this time without the supervision of a truly independent panel of experts overseeing the results.
The government claims that two government funded bodies (natural England and the Government Veterinary service) are "sufficiently" independent and so the cull should go ahead.
Unsurprisingly - the Badger Trust have been granted leave by the High Court to challenge the legality of the proposed second cull because the arrangements proposed for its independent monitoring are said not to be truly independent!
Statement by DEFRA (21/10/12)
"Cattle vaccination is not currently permitted in the UK. If cattle were vaccinated using a vaccine that is not licensed by the EU, Britain would no longer be able to export beef or dairy products, at an estimated cost to the industry of £2.2bn.
Before a vaccine can be used, we must be able to demonstrate we have a test which can tell the difference between an animal that is infected with TB or one that has been vaccinated. We’re working on this test (known as the “DIVA test”) as quickly as possible but it is still some way off being ready to use."
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/myth-bust-vaccinating-cattle-against-bovine-tb
Statements on the Parliament Website - Bovine TB vaccination (Jan. 2013)
"At present, the only available vaccine for tackling TB – including in the human population – is Bacille Calmette–Guérin, or BCG. BCG does not guarantee full protection and vaccinated humans and animals can still be infected and develop disease. Laboratory studies have, however, demonstrated that vaccinating badgers and cattle with BCG can reduce the progression, severity and excretion of bovine TB, thereby reducing the risk of infection and transmission of the disease.
In wild badgers, a four-year safety field-study demonstrated that BCG vaccination in a naturally infected population resulted in a statistically significant 73.8% reduction in the incidence of positive results to a badger antibody blood test for TB. Although not a true efficacy figure, this is consistent with a protective effect of vaccination as antibody production is positively correlated with the extent and severity of TB infection. Further analysis of the study data identified an indirect protective effect in unvaccinated cubs (but not adults) in vaccinated social groups such that the risk of unvaccinated badger cubs testing positive to TB decreased significantly as the proportion of vaccinated individuals in their social group increased. When more than a third of their social group had been vaccinated, the risk to unvaccinated cubs was reduced by 79%.
Because of the EU prohibition on use of BCG vaccine in cattle, it is extremely difficult to collect robust scientific evidence on the performance of the vaccine in cattle in a natural transmission setting. AHVLA has, however, conducted a study in Ethiopia which involved vaccinating calves when between 1 and 15 days old before they were introduced into a herd containing a large proportion of bovine TB infected cattle. Although a relatively small study, vaccination of calves with BCG in this study provided significant protection against strenuous TB challenge by natural transmission. Overall, the protective efficacy of BCG was between 56% and 68% (depending on the parameters selected).
EU prohibition on use of BCG vaccine in cattle
EU legislation requires that cattle traded in the EU come only from herds with Officially Tuberculosis Free (OTF) status... OTF status must be suspended if animals give a positive reaction to this test.
BCG vaccination of cattle can interfere with the ... skin test by sensitising the animal to the test, such that a vaccinated animal might produce a positive reaction regardless of its TB infection status. Mainly for that reason, current EU legislation does not allow the use of cattle vaccination against bovine TB. The European Commission has stated that if a candidate vaccine succeeds in showing scientifically sufficient protection, and no interference with diagnostic tests, it might be used as an additional tool to accelerate TB eradication under certain circumstances. But for this to be allowed, EU and international animal health rules would need to be substantially amended.
Risks of use of cattle vaccination in contravention of EU law
Vaccinating cattle in the UK against TB without a Marketing Authorisation for the vaccine would run the risk that trade in live cattle with other member states could be banned. It is possible that the European Commission would also consider the need for restrictions on cattle products, including meat and dairy products. Any restrictions on EU trade would also put at risk exports to third countries, with some importing authorities likely to follow the EU’s lead (including those where markets have been opened up, or restored, relatively recently). While the export market for live cattle is relatively small (valued at £496,000 in 2011), the value of beef and dairy exports is much greater and has been steadily growing in recent years. Beef exports reached almost £490 million in 2011 and dairy grew close to £1.2 billion. It is estimated that the recent lifting of the Russian ban on British beef and lamb could be worth £80 million over the next three years."
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmenvfru/writev/bovine/m23.htm
UPDATE
THE Badger Trust’s legal challenge over the way the second year of the pilot badger culls is being monitored will be heard in the High Court on August 21st.
Additional Sources of Information
http://www.viva.org.uk/resources/campaign-materials/fact-sheets/badgers-and-bovine-tb-btb
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/3475.htm
http://www.brianmay.com/brian/letters/letterspix/14/April-2013-BOVINE-TB-INFECTION-IS-NOT-AN-ISSUE-IN-CATTLE-OR-BADGERS-IN-SCOTLAND.pdf
http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Expert-panel-badger-culls-says-ignored-report/story-21444482-detail/story.html
http://www.badger.org.uk/news/posts/2014/government-advisors-support-badger-trust-high-court-legal-challenge.aspx https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/300382/independent-expert-panel-report.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/300383/ahvla-efficacy-report.pdf
http://m.farmersguardian.com/66190.article?mobilesite=enabled#keywords
The EU is a trading block of 28 member states, and has strict rules in force concerning the health of animals traded and moved within its borders. As a result, there is a ban in place on the movement of cattle infected with TB from the UK to other union countries.
To retain the right to export live cattle (which the website authors consider cruel, undesirable and unnecessary) and to export dairy products and meat - UK herds are regularly tested for TB. Provided no TB is discovered, animals and products from those herds can be exported to the EU.
If any cattle do test positive for TB the herd (or at least individual animals) is/are culled - compensation is paid to the farmer (often below the market value of loss) and exports are prohibited until that farm is declared TB free again.
Badgers carry TB and it is known that badgers and cattle can cross-infect each other.
In the UK TB is common in certain areas. In fact, "Bovine TB is the biggest threat to the livestock industry in England. The disease has a significant financial and emotional impact on farmers and the current control regime costs the taxpayer around £100 million a year." according to an article on the UK Parliament website.
So why not just vaccinate cattle as is done to prevent people from getting TB?
There are several possible reasons -
1) Even if all cattle were vaccinated - they would not all be immune to TB and some would get the infection despite being vaccinated.
2) Once cattle are vaccinated it is no longer possible to distinguish between a vaccinated animal (free of TB) and a vaccinated but TB infected animal (a laboratory test to achieve this is under development). Consequently, vaccinating cattle is prohibited under EU rules and if they were to be vaccinated at this time - it would result in the herd being classified as "infected" and the animals and their products could no longer be exported to the EU. (Council Directive 78/52/EEC and Council Directive 64/432/EEC)
The government has decided that its main priority is to protect the ability of the UK to continue exporting live cattle and other cattle derived products to the EU.
The EU for its part has rules which will only facilitate UK exports if animals are TB free - and this can not be guaranteed if the available vaccination is used.
The result!
Badgers are being culled in order to protect the UK's ability to keep trading with the EU and other non-EU countries like Russia.
Any alternatives to culling? The following suggestions have been proposed
1. Suspend live transport of animals to the continent. This trade was estimated to be worth less than £500,000 in 2011 and to protect badgers - this relatively minor sacrifice has been deemed to be worth it by some commentators.
2. Apply for a derogation from the current EU law which prevents export of cattle products from vaccinated herds - this position should change anyway in 2015 if the anticipated new test is licensed which will enable infected and non-infected vaccinated animals to be distinguished.
3. Adopt more regular testing of herds in England in line with the regimens used in the other parts of the UK. In addition, the UK must improve biosecurity on farms which EU inspections have shown are currently inadequate is some respects - http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/oct/04/farming-shortcomings-badger-cull-bovine-tb?CMP=twt_gu
4. More thorough abattoir inspection of carcasses from infected areas should be carried out.
5. Vaccinate cattle and badgers. This should be a long term program. (Vaccinating cattle should be the main goal, because animals other than badgers carry TB - so it could be argued that vaccinating badgers alone may not eradicate the problem and other species of wildlife may also need to be vaccinated - or culled [which the authors of the petition do not support]).
6. Continue investing in the development and licensing of a test to distinguish between a TB free vaccinated animal and a TB infected vaccinated animal. Ensure the EU accelerate their processes to grant permission for the UK to vaccinate.
7. Continue the R&D required to produce an even more effective vaccination against TB for cattle, badgers and other species of wildlife. (The government should consider giving pharmaceutical companies tax breaks to encourage them to invest in the R&D).
8. Re-direct money to properly compensate farmers when their herds are culled and to provide emotional support and counselling.
It is interesting to note that the pilot badger cull was found to be ineffective and inhumane by an independent panel of experts. Unfortunately the UK government has decided to continue with its culling project - but this time without the supervision of a truly independent panel of experts overseeing the results.
The government claims that two government funded bodies (natural England and the Government Veterinary service) are "sufficiently" independent and so the cull should go ahead.
Unsurprisingly - the Badger Trust have been granted leave by the High Court to challenge the legality of the proposed second cull because the arrangements proposed for its independent monitoring are said not to be truly independent!
Statement by DEFRA (21/10/12)
"Cattle vaccination is not currently permitted in the UK. If cattle were vaccinated using a vaccine that is not licensed by the EU, Britain would no longer be able to export beef or dairy products, at an estimated cost to the industry of £2.2bn.
Before a vaccine can be used, we must be able to demonstrate we have a test which can tell the difference between an animal that is infected with TB or one that has been vaccinated. We’re working on this test (known as the “DIVA test”) as quickly as possible but it is still some way off being ready to use."
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/myth-bust-vaccinating-cattle-against-bovine-tb
Statements on the Parliament Website - Bovine TB vaccination (Jan. 2013)
"At present, the only available vaccine for tackling TB – including in the human population – is Bacille Calmette–Guérin, or BCG. BCG does not guarantee full protection and vaccinated humans and animals can still be infected and develop disease. Laboratory studies have, however, demonstrated that vaccinating badgers and cattle with BCG can reduce the progression, severity and excretion of bovine TB, thereby reducing the risk of infection and transmission of the disease.
In wild badgers, a four-year safety field-study demonstrated that BCG vaccination in a naturally infected population resulted in a statistically significant 73.8% reduction in the incidence of positive results to a badger antibody blood test for TB. Although not a true efficacy figure, this is consistent with a protective effect of vaccination as antibody production is positively correlated with the extent and severity of TB infection. Further analysis of the study data identified an indirect protective effect in unvaccinated cubs (but not adults) in vaccinated social groups such that the risk of unvaccinated badger cubs testing positive to TB decreased significantly as the proportion of vaccinated individuals in their social group increased. When more than a third of their social group had been vaccinated, the risk to unvaccinated cubs was reduced by 79%.
Because of the EU prohibition on use of BCG vaccine in cattle, it is extremely difficult to collect robust scientific evidence on the performance of the vaccine in cattle in a natural transmission setting. AHVLA has, however, conducted a study in Ethiopia which involved vaccinating calves when between 1 and 15 days old before they were introduced into a herd containing a large proportion of bovine TB infected cattle. Although a relatively small study, vaccination of calves with BCG in this study provided significant protection against strenuous TB challenge by natural transmission. Overall, the protective efficacy of BCG was between 56% and 68% (depending on the parameters selected).
EU prohibition on use of BCG vaccine in cattle
EU legislation requires that cattle traded in the EU come only from herds with Officially Tuberculosis Free (OTF) status... OTF status must be suspended if animals give a positive reaction to this test.
BCG vaccination of cattle can interfere with the ... skin test by sensitising the animal to the test, such that a vaccinated animal might produce a positive reaction regardless of its TB infection status. Mainly for that reason, current EU legislation does not allow the use of cattle vaccination against bovine TB. The European Commission has stated that if a candidate vaccine succeeds in showing scientifically sufficient protection, and no interference with diagnostic tests, it might be used as an additional tool to accelerate TB eradication under certain circumstances. But for this to be allowed, EU and international animal health rules would need to be substantially amended.
Risks of use of cattle vaccination in contravention of EU law
Vaccinating cattle in the UK against TB without a Marketing Authorisation for the vaccine would run the risk that trade in live cattle with other member states could be banned. It is possible that the European Commission would also consider the need for restrictions on cattle products, including meat and dairy products. Any restrictions on EU trade would also put at risk exports to third countries, with some importing authorities likely to follow the EU’s lead (including those where markets have been opened up, or restored, relatively recently). While the export market for live cattle is relatively small (valued at £496,000 in 2011), the value of beef and dairy exports is much greater and has been steadily growing in recent years. Beef exports reached almost £490 million in 2011 and dairy grew close to £1.2 billion. It is estimated that the recent lifting of the Russian ban on British beef and lamb could be worth £80 million over the next three years."
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmenvfru/writev/bovine/m23.htm
UPDATE
THE Badger Trust’s legal challenge over the way the second year of the pilot badger culls is being monitored will be heard in the High Court on August 21st.
Additional Sources of Information
http://www.viva.org.uk/resources/campaign-materials/fact-sheets/badgers-and-bovine-tb-btb
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/3475.htm
http://www.brianmay.com/brian/letters/letterspix/14/April-2013-BOVINE-TB-INFECTION-IS-NOT-AN-ISSUE-IN-CATTLE-OR-BADGERS-IN-SCOTLAND.pdf
http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Expert-panel-badger-culls-says-ignored-report/story-21444482-detail/story.html
http://www.badger.org.uk/news/posts/2014/government-advisors-support-badger-trust-high-court-legal-challenge.aspx https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/300382/independent-expert-panel-report.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/300383/ahvla-efficacy-report.pdf
http://m.farmersguardian.com/66190.article?mobilesite=enabled#keywords