The Morecambe & Lunesdale MP David Morris has this afternoon welcomed news that DEFRA has adopted his suggestion of rolling out a badger vaccination programme across England & Wales.
David held a debate in Westminster Hall in October of 2013. During the debate he explained that there is a vaccination available rather like the BCG injection that most of us have received.
Having met with all interested parties, the MP was also able to establish a common ground adding:
“There seems to be widespread agreement”
“ (W)e need an effective oral vaccination, and I again invite the Minister to comment on research and development and the progress in that field. It is worth pointing out that, this week, a National Farmers Union briefing was fully in favour of work on vaccines, while DEFRA is undertaking a survey of the number of badgers in the UK, which shows that there is common ground between both sides, even if that is not obvious at first.”
Speaking from his office in Westminster, David said:
“I am pleased the Government has taken this important step and adopted my suggestion. All sides of the debate agreed that we shouldn’t harm wildlife unnecessarily, but, equally we should take steps to eradicate Bovine TB. I was pleased that both the Secretary of State Owen Paterson and the Farming Minister George Eustice have visited my constituency in recent months.”
“One of the biggest sticking points was European Union red tape, I am pleased the Government has now been able to roll out the vaccination.”