Gloucestershire beef farmer David Barton invited the NFU on to his farm to film four of his cattle, including his beloved bull Ernie, being shot and removed after they had tested positive for bovine TB.
NFU President Meurig Raymond said: “This is a shocking film but we make no apologies for that. This is the distressing reality that farmers like David are having to face as bovine TB continues to devastate farming families across large parts of the country.
“Many farmers in areas where TB is endemic in the wildlife population are rapidly losing all hope for the future because they are powerless to stop the spread of this disease, no matter what they do.
“Our message is clear – this cannot go on. Wildlife controls are an integral part of the Government’s 25-year TB eradication strategy and the NFU remains committed to doing everything it can to find a way forward for the current policy.”
More...
- Read David's blog about the realities of living with bovine TB
- Watch David on BBC Points West (May 15, from 5.00)
- From TB Free England: Soul destroying' - the reality of bovine TB
- Owen Paterson reaffirms TB commitment
- 'We must stop bovine TB destroying farm businesses'
- Farmer's distress as TB reactors go to slaughter