A DELEGATION from South Devon has met with Environment Secretary Hilary Benn to press for action in tackling TB in cattle which has blighted farmers in the area.

The group, including Torbay farmer Gordon Tully, was led by Tory MP for Totnes Anthony Steen who pointed out that 300 cattle a week were being slaughtered in Devon alone, costing tens of thousands of pounds to the taxpayer in compensation.

He also highlighted the emotional and psychological impact on farmers, whose herds were affected.

One of the suggestions made during the meeting, which lasted more than an hour, was a trial vaccination of badgers in the county.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Steen said: "We made substantial progress that something will be done in Devon if the farmers want it."

Mr Steen said he favoured inoculation combined with a badger cull, which has controversially been ruled out by ministers.

A cross-party group of MPs has already said that Government steps to curb TB in cattle were 'not good enough' and failed to recognise the seriousness of the situation.

Farmers in South Devon have continued to call for a cull, with the county one of the worst hit areas in the country for bovine TB.

Mr Steen said: "The cost to the taxpayer of the inertia in dealing with the badgers is something I find extremely distasteful.

"We prefer to save the badger rather than prize cattle."

Last year MPs on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee were highly critical of steps being taken by the Government to combat the spread of bovine TB, arguing they were not working effectively.

About 2,500 cattle a year get TB, and some 30,000 stock are killed every year because of the disease, according to the National Farmers' Union.

But wildlife campaigners have argued repeatedly that culling badgers would not help attempts to reduce the prevalence of the disease in livestock.