<font color="#FF0000">BADGERS</font>

The debate about badgers remains fierce.

Do they spread the deadly TB virus? Many of my farmers believe they do.

The Government's recently retired Scientic Adivisor, Sir David King, advocated a cull.

His report was detailed and highly controversial - issues involving animal welfare always are.

But now the Government Department responsible has changed its mind and come down against a cull.

Last year 28,000 cattle had to be slaughtered because of TB. That's why farmers are fearful and angry.

The facts may still be uncertain.

But this is an issue that will not just go away just because a Government Department cops out of making hard decisions.

I have now invited the Secretary of State to come to our area and meet farmers. He has, in principle, agreed to the idea:

Mr. Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater) (Con): "Will the Secretary of State accept that the march of TB across Exmoor and into the Levels has become absolutely unstoppable? It has got into areas of my constituency that have not seen TB for over a generation, and it is getting worse. Since the Secretary of State has mentioned it twice, will he come down to Somerset and meet some real farmers on Exmoor? They want to know why they should be in livestock production when every time they test their herds, they find TB again, and they go round in a circle of slaughter and re-equipping.

Will the Secretary of State meet those farmers?

Hilary Benn: I would be happy to do so. I spend quite a lot of my time meeting farmers, and I am very willing to do so."

ianliddellgrainger@hotmail.co.uk

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