Queen guitarist presents new programme on TB and badgers

A new BBC documentary, fronted by Queen guitarist and wildlife activist Brian May, claims to have identified the real source of bovine TB spread among cattle.

Brian May: The Badgers, the Farmers and Me includes footage filmed on farms badly impacted by the disease, including Gatcombe Farm near Seaton, Devon, where farmer Robert Reed trialled alternative ways to eradicate bovine TB.

The project, which involved large animal vet Dick Sibley, included better slurry management and farm biosecurity, clamping down on possible cattle-to-cattle transmission of TB, as well as a system to identify cows “shedding” the disease and manage them specifically to prevent transmission.

See also: Badger culling policy reduces cattle TB by 56%, study shows

Rubber-floored calving boxes were installed and measures taken to prevent feed contamination.

Ahead of the programme being broadcast, the documentary makers said the experiment faced numerous challenges but its supporters claimed success; the farm was declared TB-free without the culling of a single badger.

“Now, Brian and the team believe that they could have identified the real source of TB spread among cattle.”

Speaking about the documentary, Sir Brian said he got involved in the bovine TB debate to “save the badgers”.

“I now realise that to save the badgers, you have to save everybody because it’s a mess. It’s a tragic human drama where people’s hearts are broken,” he said.

In the 12 months to March 2024, 21,300 cattle were compulsorily slaughtered in England due to bovine TB.

Reaction

In response, the NFU said bovine continues to have a “huge impact” on thousands of farming families across the country, adding that “the emotional, mental, and financial strain this devastating disease causes is enormous”.

But NFU president Tom Bradshaw argued that the current government strategy to control and eradicate bovine TB, which gives farmers access to multiple measures to tackle the disease, has been “hugely successful”.

He added: “New data in the Birch Review provided further evidence of this, demonstrating the herd incidence rate of TB reduced by 56% in areas that have had four or more years of wildlife control.

“The new Defra secretary of state has acknowledged the successes reported and the importance of maintaining momentum.

“The NFU will continue to work with its members and government to ensure a successful strategy to eradicate bTB continues to be based on sound science and evidence.”

A Defra spokesperson said: “We recognise the devastating impact bovine TB has on the farming community, which is why we are committed to working with farmers and scientists on measures to eradicate this disease.

“This government will roll out a TB eradication package including vaccination, herd management and biosecurity measures to protect farmers’ livelihoods and end the badger cull.”