Rt Hon David Miliband
Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Defra
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR


17 June 2007



Dear Mr Miliband

Farmers For Action are very disappointed on your government’s stance regarding TB in both badgers and cattle.

You have taken draconian measures to tackle this disease at farm level which is causing maximum stress to farming families. Surely you recognise if you are trying to eliminate this disease in UK cattle, you have to deal with the serious issue in wildlife. It is the sick and unhealthy badgers we want dealt with in order to protect our healthy badgers, remember healthy badgers - healthy cattle, I am sure the current chancellor would be delighted with that outcome.

Therefore we are calling on all livestock farmers to be non compliant with DEFRA in respect of TB testing within this country until such time as you are prepared to grasp the nettle and deal with unhealthy wildlife.

Yours sincerely


David Handley
Chairman   Farmers For Action