RECENTLY, BBC Points West showed footage of a farmer in Malmesbury who was distraught at a further outbreak of bTB within his herd.

Time after time we see the same story. No cattle movements have taken place, more infection is found, point to a badger sett in the locality and the badgers are blamed. Between 1996 and 2006, 11,000 badgers were killed.

The Independent Scientific Group of experts concluded: “Badger culling cannot meaningfully contribute to the future control of cattle TB in Britain’ as a result of ‘high costs and low benefits’ and recommended that “TB control methods focus on areas other than badger culling.” This finding was ignored by the government.

In 2013, an independent expert panel was set up by the government to monitor the pilot cull. This group concluded after one year that “the free shooting of badgers in Somerset and Gloucestershire was inhumane and ineffective.” This finding was ignored by the government.

The British Veterinary Association withdrew their support for the free shooting of running badgers as it was deemed to be inhumane after the 2013-14 cull.

Scientific research indicates that 94 per cent of all bTB transmission to cattle is by cattle to cattle.

Scientific research indicates that 6 per cent of bTB transmission to cattle might be from badgers, deer and other wild animals.

The primary cattle test for bTB detects only 50 – 80 per cent of the infected animals, leaving anything from one in five to one in two infected animals in the herd to continue spreading the infection.

The total estimated cost of two years of culling is £16,800,000 and funded by the taxpayer.

Given the facts above and the cost to the taxpayer, just what is the motivation?

CHERRIL POPE Nailsworth