GENERAL election candidates have been urged to commit to eradicating bovine TB.

The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers says culling up to 40,000 cattle a year – at a cost of £90m to the taxpayer – is not working.

David Cotton, chairman, said the number of incidents in dairy herds, coupled with reactors slaughtered, has increased dramatically more than the past decade.

He said: “Farmers are suffering from the immediate loss of animals within their herd, as well as movement restrictions and financial inconvenience.”

In 2007-8, TB slaughterings amounted to 16,192 milking cows – 0.8pc of the dairy herd – contributing over 114m litres of milk.

Mr Cotton said the current trend of increased slaughterings could see that figure rise to more than 21,000 head or more than 1pc of the dairy herd.

He said: “There is also the knock-on effect of lost lifetime performance, as well as herd genetics.

“In addition, these losses are undoubtedly reducing the number of replacements available and, equally alarming, are making a significant contribution to the increase in imports.”

Last year, British cattle imports escalated to more than 39,000 head.

Mr Cotton said: “We are aware of the importance of the rural vote in this election.

Therefore we would urge candidates to support scientific findings, which indicate the only way to control TB – not only in cattle but also in badgers – is to hit hard all sides of the disease.

“A cull of infected badgers must be included in any future Government policy, along with proper movement controls, rigorous testing including the use of gamma interferon, and culling of the infected wildlife reservoir.”

He welcomed the Conservative Party’s support for a targeted cull in England.