Archive - Friday, 27 February 2004


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Urgent action needed

STROUD MP David Drew has called for urgent action to stop the spread of bovine TB in crisis-hit counties.

Mr Drew has received confirmation this week that a Commons select committee is to look into the issue of badgers and TB in cattle.

The MP, who chairs a Commons sub-committee of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs department, charged with looking into bovine TB, requested a rational debate to find a way forward to tackle the problem.

"I have received notification that my request to the select committee to hold a one-day conference to find out exactly what is going will go ahead," said Mr Drew.

Campaigners fighting for the protection of badgers are at odds with Gloucestershire farmers, many of whom believe a concentrated cull could stop the spread of the disease.

"One camp is firmly stuck on one side, the other has conflicting views," said Mr Drew. "We need to engage in a structured debate that sees both side represented and I am sure each group has useful information to bring to the debate."