*TB badger cull would be "a placebo" says former environment minister,* -  *Elliot Morley MP*

A badger cull would be "more of a placebo than any form of effective policy" to control bovine TB, says former Environment Minister and member of the Privy Council, Elliot Morley MP[1]. In a letter[2] to his constituent and Badger Trust supporter Candice Tutty, Mr Morley notes "the weakness of a scientific case for a cull" and says that better cattle controls and vaccine trials are "a more realistic solution". In 1997, Mr Morley appointed the Independent Scientific Group which spent ten years and in excess of £80 million researching the bovine TB problem. He has since followed their research closely. Trevor Lawson, for the Badger Trust, commented: "There is no scientific case for badger culling and we are very encouraged that Mr Morley, who remains an influential voice in the Government, recognises that. We very much hope that the Government will base its policy on sound science by rejecting a badger cull. That would be good news for farmers and badgers alike, allowing the industry to move forwards in a constructive way without alienating the public. "The challenge now is for Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, to find adequate financial resources to improve the TB testing regime and ensure that farmers implement husbandry measures to control not only bovine TB but a host of other cattle disease challenges, too." ENDS For further comment, contact Trevor Lawson on 07976 262388. 1. Elliot Morley MP (Labour, Scunthorpe), was Environment Minister from 2003-2006. In December 2006, he was appointed to the Privy Council.