Coveney: Badger culling has made a crucial difference to TB levels

The culling of badgers is cost effective and has contributed significantly to the improved Bovine TB disease situation in recent years.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said that is the view of his department, particularly since 2008, during which time the number of reactors has declined by almost 50%, from around 30,000 to 15,600 last year.

“This is a new record low since the commencement of the eradication programme in the 1950s and, for the first time since then, eradication is now a practicable proposition.