FARMERS in Gloucestershire are angry after hearing that the Government will not embark on a badger cull to tackle TB in cattle.

The BBC yesterday said that a decision has already been made on the issue, but the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is refusing to confirm the news.

A spokesman for DEFRA, said: “We do not comment on leaks. The secretary of state will be making a statement in Parliament soon.”

Last year 28,000 cattle died of TB, and 13,500 have been killed by the disease in 2008.

Former government chief scientific adviser Sir David King said a cull could make a significant contribution to the control of bovine TB in areas where there was a “high and persistent” incidence of the disease.

A committee of MPs recommended a cull should be given the go-ahead in TB hotspots, which include south west England, south west Wales, Staffordshire and Derbyshire.

Jan Rowe, a TB specialist for the NFU, said that the decision would have dire consequences for the cattle industry.

“This is a hugely wasted opportunity by the Government, and a big disappointment. It is a disastrous result that will be disastrous for the cattle industry,” he said.

Jay Greenwood's farm at Boseley Mill in Westbury-on-Severn has been closed since 2006, when the cattle were diagnosed with TB. After a long process, Mr Greenwood is expecting his herd to be given the all-clear on Monday, and said that the decision was devastating.

“It makes you wonder if all the effort is worth it. It's been a total waste of time getting the herd back up to scratch, it's only a matter of time – they will get infected again.

“The Government is backing out of making the correct decision.”

John Hore, Regional chairman for NFU livestock in the South West and former Gloucester NFU chairman, said: “This decision is devoid of common sense.

“The farmers are in uproar and we could end up with anarchy in England.

“Does the Government want a countryside without any cattle? Farmers will be going out of business left right and centre.

“TB is a cancer creeping across the livestock industry that has to be addressed. We don't want a wholesale decimation of badgers, but if they're sick and infecting our beef and milk, what choice is there.”

Tony Dean, Chairman of the Gloucestershire Badger Group, has welcomed the news, but said there is a long way to go.

“All parties need to get together to resolve the problem and there is a lot of water to go under the bridge yet.

“Most farmers won't listen to the science, but there is overwhelming evidence to suggest that badgers aren't to blame. There has been a badger cull in Ireland since 2000, but the latest TB figures in cattle show a 13 per cent rise.”