The latest figures released by Defra show a slight fall in the level of bovine TB. The provisional figures, published on Wednesday (12 June), show that the incidence rate for the first three months of 2013 was down from 3.9 per cent to 3.6 per cent compared with the same period in 2012.

However, Defra said the figures are subject to possible adjustment. Despite this qualification, The Badger Trust, which opposes trial badger culls, set to begin imminently in the South-West, welcomed the figures, which it claimed "appear to confirm a continuing downward trend and could be an indicator that the Coalition's overdue and much delayed tightening of cattle movements might be starting to pay dividends."

The figures released by Defra reveal that the number of new herd incidents during the period January to March 2013 was 1,407 compared to 1,534 for January to March 2012. The number of tests on officially TB free herds was 22,878 during January to March 2013, compared to 24,981 during January to March 2012. The number of cattle compulsorily slaughtered as reactors or direct contacts was 9,278 during January to March 2013, compared to 9,474 during January to March 2012.

The Badger Trust called on the government to stay its hand over badger culling, which forms part of the Coalition's bovine TB control strategy. Although Defra ministers have pledged to use "every tool in the box" to control bovine TB, the efficacy and humaneness of badger culling has been challenged by experts, who believe cattle measures and vaccination would prove a more effective response.

Badger Trust Chair David Williams said, "The movement controls introduced earlier this year need to be given time to make their impact and promised additional changes expedited."