Farron demands DEFRA issue progress report over TB vaccine

10.51.00am GMT Tue 4th Nov 2008

Following the announcement of a joint DEFRA-industry group to investigate the spread of bovine TB, Shadow Secretary of State for DEFRA Tim Farron MP has called for an immediate progress report on the development of a vaccine.

Mr Farron has called for the report after tabling a parliamentary question which revealed that DEFRA had spent over £12.5million over the past three years for research into the study of a viable vaccine.

Commenting Mr Farron said:

"This announcement is good news for the farming community and shows that DEFRA are prepared to listen to industry experts; but it's taken them far too long to take what many would consider to be an obvious step.

"Involving the NFU will hopefully lead to more decisions being based on how they can help farmers and not how they can help win the government votes.

"With the NFU on board the government won't be allowed to shirk tough decision like they have over the proposed selected cull of badgers. Demanding a progress report on the development of the vaccine will be a good first step to ensuring that the government doesn't repeat its old mistakes."

Related Link:

Tim's Parliamentary Question.