With reference to your Press Notice of 4 November 1998 I would like this letter to be placed before the Committee considering the report by the Krebs Review Group into the role played by badgers in the transmission of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) to cattle.

  The first result of the adoption of the Krebs proposals is that the UK Government has been found in breach of the Bern Convention and instructed to halt the slaughter. The credibility of the UK's commitment to conservation and its world reputation in this area have thus received a mortal blow.

  Any consideration of the implications of Krebs proposals must take account of the fact that the whole experiment is flawed at the outset, based as it is on the premise that the badger is already guilty. This is evidenced by the fact that only the badger has been subjected to any repressive measures before any conclusions have been drawn from research into other possible routes of transmission of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) to cattle.

  Krebs should have first addressed the shortcomings in our knowledge of the effects of, for example, better animal husbandry methods, reduction in cattle testing and the role of other mammal species. Only then could any considered judgement of the need for any slaughter policy to take place be made.

  Consideration, backed by research, should have been given to:—

CATTLE TESTING

  The increase in the time between the routine testing of cattle has coincided with the increase in BTB. Cattle to cattle trasmission can now go undetected for up to three years.

ROLE OF OTHER MAMMALS

  It is known that mammals other than badgers are infected wth BTB. Their role in transmission seems however to have been discounted but it is not apparent on what basis.

  Modern farming methods involve cattle being kept indoors in close proximity for long periods. Quite apart from this presenting ideal conditions for cattle to cattle transmission, it exposes them, their bedding, food etc, to the most common mammal known to carry BTB, the rat. Due to the huge numbers found on farms and in the country generally, it seems inconceivable that no research has been done into their involvement.

MINERAL DEFICIENCY

  One of the most promising areas for investigation but one ignored by Krebs.

  There is evidence that mineral deficiencies especially selenium and copper have led to reductions in immune systems and resistance to diseases including BTB. Where these deficiencies have been addressed both BTB and other diseases have reduced dramatically.

  Other factors to consider include the reduction (of up to 30 per cent) in trace elements now contained in cattle cake and the reason for reductions in trace elements to be found in pasture.

  Although MAFF have belatedly looked at this question—their Factsheet C10 dated 6 November 1998—it should be noted that only badger carcasses are to be post mortemed for evidence of mineral deficiencies. MAFF are relying on information from the farmers survey forms in relation to cattle, surely the carcasses of BTB infected cattle should be similarly examined to ensure equality of evidence.

  The foregoing are by no means the only considerations against proceedings with the present badger slaughter policy. They do however, standing on their own, highlight sufficient serious doubts to warrant its abandonment and replacement by proper structured research into the whole question of BTB.

  If it is not, then the consequent waste of public funds which will ensure (up to £7 million per year), is yet another factor to be weighed by the Committee.

9 November 1998