HEREFORDSHIRE’S Harry Cotterell, national president of the Country Land and Business Association, is hoping the new year will bring better weather, CAP reform and a determination to tackle bovine TB.

Mr Cotterell, who farms at Garnons near Hereford, has drawn up his wish list after a challenging year for agriculture, particularly weather wise, and the promise of a better time for farmers in 2013.

“The best outcome for CAP reform in 2013 is a fair and sensible deal for UK farmers and land managers that enables them to compete on a level playing field with their European counterparts,” said Mr Cotterell.

“It is vital the postponed badger cull goes ahead in the summer of 2013 to help combat the scourge of bovine TB. This terrible disease not only affects rural businesses but it also has a devastating emotional impact on the people involved.

“The countryside must become a healthier place for both livestock and wildlife.

This can only be achieved by acting responsibly and stopping the disease in its tracks with a badger cull.”

Mr Cotterell said the dreadful weather conditions endured in 2012 had cost the rural economy upwards of £150 million.

This year he was hoping for more manageable weather for the farmers and other rural businesses which rely on tourism.

“Major countryside events such as the CLA Game Fair were forced to cancel, losing the local area £34m,” said Mr Cotterell.

“Farmers have lost valuable crops to the freak weather, which has had a knock-on impact for consumers as prices rise and produce becomes scarce and of poor quality.”

à Meanwhile, the Badger Trust says a newly-published study has shown a direct beneficial effect of vaccination against bovine TB in individual badgers and an indirect protective effect in unvaccinated cubs.

The trust, the country’s sole badger conservation charity, is undertaking badger vaccination programmes along with other organisations, as well as supporting efforts to bring about cattle vaccination.

Badget Trust chairman David Williams said: “This is yet another valuable piece of evidence to add to the many others leading to a better understanding of how vaccination can help to control this insidious disease.

“This ever-growing body of knowledge is a clear signpost to the future when vaccination will be far more effective than killing badgers, and banishes all fear