Farmers kill badgers to fight TB

There is still no scientific proof that badgers spread TB

A South West farmers' leader has admitted that his colleagues are killing badgers illegally.

Michael Hart from the Small and Family Farms Alliance says farmers are desperately trying to prevent the spread of tuberculosis in cattle.

It comes as the government waits for the result of the Krebs trials designed to test the effectiveness of a cull to control the TB outbreak.

Mr Hart says the farmers' action will distort the results of the research.

But the Cornwall farmer said they were not prepared to wait and see their herds destroyed.

He said: "Farmers are controlling badgers in a number of ways around the country.

"There are obviously farm chemicals that are poisonous and there are readily available over-the-counter drugs which used in the right way will produce the right effect."