Major Patrick Darling, a former High Sheriff of Herefordshire, who farms the Caradoc Estate at Sellack, near Ross-on-Wye, is reeling from the news that one of his herd of pedigree Hereford cattle has been infected with TB. And he has endorsed the government’s wish to get rid of TB, although he thinks that different methods than the current cull would be more effective.

He would like to see the badger taken off the protected list, as they have no natural predators in this day and age, and farmers should be allowed to control them. He said this would not wipe out the badger but infected colonies would be cleared.

He believes that once the disease has passed, the badgers could be put back on the protected species list Then he thinks it would be worth trying a vaccine.

Major Darling told the Ross Gazette that he had been building up the medium-sized herd which had been completely free of TB for seven years.

He explained that the only cattle on the estate are those which have been bred there, no cattle are brought in so the animal which has tested as a reactor, must have contracted it through contact with the bacteria on the farm.

To read the full report, pick up this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette.