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THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice 6 | REVIEW OF THE YEAR Whether or not to cull badgers was one of the most controversial rural affairs issues of the year. There was conflicting scientific advice on the most effective way to tackle the growing prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in wildlife, primarily badgers. However, there was no doubt about the cost that TB was placing on the farming industry. Defra estimated that, if left unchecked, the spread of the disease through the national herd would cost the farming industry and taxpayers in the region of £1 billion over the next decade. Following the 2010 election, the coalition government said that no option was off limits when it came to tackling the problem, which was having a devastating impact on the livelihoods of affected farmers. From the government's position, the cost of removing infected animals from the national herd was rising and concerns over cattle welfare were growing. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said the infection needed to be dealt with in both badgers and cattle. 'We have to use every tool in the box because TB is so difficult to eradicate and it is spreading rapidly', he explained. Opponents to the culling option said removing infected badgers would be ineffective and would, ultimately, cost more rather than save taxpayers' money. Labour's Shadow Environment Secretary, Mary Creagh, said the cull was 'not the answer'. 'The government's own figures show it will cost more than it saves, and it will spread bovine TB in the short term as the badgers are disturbed and spread infection to neighbouring herds', she said. The previous government had decided not to introduce a badger call. This decision was based on the findings of the UK Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT), which concluded that a reactive cull led to significant increases in bovine TB, while a proactive cull The six-week trial culls were extended when marksmen failed to reach the cull target Badger cull growing plant, providing protection against insect pests throughout its life. Pollinating insects may be exposed to the active ingredients when they feed on the nectar and pollen of treated plants.' The advice from the experts formed the basis of the government's draft National Pollinator Strategy, which was opened for public consultation in the later part of the parliamentary session. It listed research plans to establish a more scientifically robust understanding of the role and value of pollinators, as well as the effects of neonicotinoid pesticides, in order to have a clearer understanding of the threats facing pollinating insects. The government was expected to publish the final strategy in autumn 2014.