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BVA's Hargreaves take on the controversial bovine TB issue

Posted 29/09/2014

 

One of the most controversial issues in agriculture this year was the reintroduction of badger culls to help stop the spread of bovine TB.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) supported the decision earlier this year, with its president, Robin Hargreaves, saying it was an essential process to help stop the disease: "Badger culling is a necessary part of a comprehensive bovine TB eradication strategy that also includes strict cattle measures and vaccination. Culling remains a hugely emotive issue but we must tackle the disease in both cattle and wildlife. Scientific evidence supports the use of targeted, humane badger culling to achieve a reduction in the disease in cattle."

In his final speech to a Manchester audfience last Friday, Robin Hargreaves, now outgoing president of the BVA, said he was proud of the stance the organisation took on the issue. He acknowledged it was both an 'emotive and difficult' issue to deal with at the time, but deciding to stand his ground, was, he believed, the right choice: "I am also proud of the fact that despite enormous public and media pressure, we didn’t take a populist line. We considered the evidence in great detail, debated it from all angles through our committees and Council, and took a view on how we can deliver the greatest benefits in terms of disease control and eradication."

Mr Hargreaves' successor for 2014-15 is John Hargreaves.