ENVIRONMENT Secretary Hilary Benn's decision not to authorise the mass slaughter of badgers in England is to be congratulated. It is a victory for both common sense and science.

Farmers, in their eagerness to blame anyone but themselves for the bovine TB epidemic, are targeting wildlife when they should be looking closer to home.

The intensification of farming practices and the huge increase in cattle movements are the real reasons for the spread of this disease.

Around 14 million cattle are moved across the UK each year — this number has quadrupled since 1999.

According to Government figures, between 2005 and 2006 over 600,000 more cattle were moved than the previous year.

Dairy herd sizes have more than doubled since the 1970s – when bovine TB was at its lowest. There is a direct correlation between larger herd sizes and the spread of disease.

However, the best way to protect both cattle and badgers is to remove yourself from the meat and dairy chain entirely — and the best way to do that is to go vegan. Viva! is here to help.

Justin Kerswell

Campaigns manager

Viva! Bristol

(by email)