Richard Walters MRCVS, of Savery Close, Ivybridge, writes:

I would like to point out a few inaccuracies in the letter from Raphael Gordon, Letters, January 29.

He describes bovine TB as a virus spread through slurry. Bovine TB is in fact a respiratory bacteria that is rarely transmitted in slurry/dung on the pasture. 

The author quotes two per cent as a figure of infected badgers. Is this a global average?

We know that a third of badgers in endemic areas have TB and will likely die from this debilitating condition.

Like Mr Gordon, I too look forward to the day when cattle and badgers can co-exist in a healthy, TB-free countryside. 

DR Michael Connelly, of Manor Way, Totnes, writes:

While sharing Mr Gordon's abhorrence of the badger cull, I must point out that he is mistaken in one small point.

Bovine tuberculosis is not a virus but a bacillus: microbacterium bovis. His account of the badger cull supporters' behaviour and the police indifference is quite shocking.

It would be interesting to hear what the police have to say about this.