THE Country Landowner's Association has spoken out following the results of an Irish study into the effects of badger removal on bovine tuberculosis.

The CLA's national adviser on bovine TB, Sarah Slade, said: "The Irish study has proven that by proactively culling we can get on top of this disease, especially in hotspots such as the West Midlands, South West and Cumbria.

"There is no longer any reason for the Government to delay culling, as the scientific evidence to support it is now available.

"We urge the Government to have the courage to take this approach on its scientific merits and not duck the issue due to concerns of how it could look in the run up to a General Election.

"The incidence of TB in the UK continues to increase with ever greater numbers of herds affected by the disease.

"It is in everyone's interests - taxpayers, government, farmers and their livestock - to take action against TB now. This study confirms, irrefutably, the efficacy of the proactive culling regime.

"The study also finds no evidence to support a link between reactive culling and increased incidence of TB in cattle - an alleged link which led to the suspension of the reactive part of the Krebs trials last year. This Irish study shows the benefits of tackling TB in a systematic and geographically discrete way to manage areas of high density TB. The government now needs to take similar action in the UK.

"We simply cannot wait for a new vaccine to arrive whilst we watch the damage continue and the costs mount."