CATTLE farmers in Herefordshire have welcomed plans for a badger cull to halt the spread of bovine TB.

The Bovine TB Eradication Programme for England was unveiled last week by environment secretary Caroline Spelman.

A series of measures to tackle the spread of bovine TB in cattle, badgers and other animals are outlined in the programme.

Among them are controversial plans for a badger cull in the worst affected areas, starting with two hotspots in the south west.

Groups of farmers will be licensed to oversee the science-led culls, to be expanded after the initial 10-week trial in 2012.

The programme also calls for routine testing of cattle, movement restrictions and the removal and slaughter of infected beasts.

William Worsley, president of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), said Ms Spelman was right to back a cull.

He said farmers would be relieved and claimed that TB would cost England more than £1 billion over a decade if not tackled.

“Badger culling, TB testing, cattle movement control and removal and slaughter of infected animals are all essential tools in the battle against the scourge of bovine TB,”

said Mr Worsley.

The CLA has also welcomed a £20 million five-year plan to develop cattle and badger vaccines as a necessity.

Opponents and animal welfare groups say the “flawed” plan was sneaked out while the hacking scandal dominates the news.

The RSPCA called the announcement “a black day for badgers” and claimed the scientific case for the cull was not sufficient.