Maria Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary, responding to today’s Written Ministerial Statement on Bovine TB, said:

“Labour has consistently said that to get Bovine TB under control we need to bring in stricter cattle measures and prioritise badger and cattle vaccinations. The Tories have failed to explain why they’re pressing ahead with culls which have been shown to be ineffective, inhumane and risk making the problem worse.

“The badger culls have already been described as an “epic failure” by the Chief Scientific Advisor to Natural England. To add insult to injury these culls are proceeding without any independent scientific oversight.”