Farmers' TB plea

Nicholas Helyer's farm has been closed with TB since March 2003.

The disease was first diagnosed in just two of his cows.

Now, 13 have been diagnosed in the past 12 months - and until every one of his 400-strong herd of Clampitt Holsteins gets the all-clear, he is unable to sell any cattle at market.

Mr Helyer is convinced it was badgers that infected his cattle with the disease.

He is one of many farmers campaigning for prompt government action.

"I have bought no other cattle on to my land in the past 20 years, so I believe the only way we could have become infected is by the badger," said Mr Helyer.

"At the last count, there were more than 75 setts on the farm and, as the badger is a protected species, this number is increasing every year.

"Surely the government must find a way of culling the badgers and stop killing the poor old cow?"

Infected animals were slaughtered, as government regulations stipulate, but Mr Helyer said other animals were suffering, too.

"Closure means that no animals can be sold except for slaughter," he said.

"This means all male calves must be shot at birth because we don't have enough accommodation to fatten them as bull beef."

Mr Helyer has been relying on the dairy side of his business but, he said, cows were also having to be culled from the milking herd, before the end of their useful life, to make room for heifers that had calved and could not be sold on the open market.

Mr Helyer said the disease was not only having a disastrous effect on his income.

"Nobody considers the stress and hopelessness that my staff and I feel, having to test the herd every eight weeks and see more innocent cows slaughtered," he said.

"Can you tell me why the badger is more special than a cow?"

He added: "I don't want to see the demise of the badger - it is just that they are out of control."

Mr Helyer's herd is due to be tested for the sixth time at the end of March.