TATTON MP Esther McVey has demanded goat and sheep farmers be compensated fairly if their livestock are affected by Bovine Tuberculosis.

Ms McVey said England must follow the lead from Wales and get equal compensation to Bovine farmers.

Speaking in Parliament, she said: “While the Government provides support for Bovine farmers should they be affected by TB, can the secretary of state reassure me that farmers in Cheshire with goat and sheep farms will get a comparable compensation for their farms.”

Cases of Bovine TB in Cheshire have soared over the years, and the Cheshire TB Eradication group was set up in response. Government also introduced six-month testing in the area in a bid to stop the disease spreading further north.

Environment Minister George Eustice said: “She (Esther) is right, there is a particular problem in Cheshire.

“That is why two years ago we introduced six-monthly surveillance testing.

“In December we had a consultation on changing the way we calculate compensation rates on other species including on sheep and goats.

“There are some concerns from the pig industry on that, which is why we are reviewing and addressing those concerns.

“It is important to recognise we already pay compensation to the people who have sheep and goat farms affected by TB.”

The results of the consultation will be published in the summer, and it is expected levels of compensation for pigs, sheep and goats will increase and a rate of statutory compensation set out for all non-bovine species that are compulsorily slaughtered for TB disease control reasons.

Ms McVey said: “While I welcome the fact it is believed compensation will be increased I want parity for Cheshire Sheep and Goat Farmers.

“This is their livelihood and it is not right they should be compensated differently to Bovine farmers.

“TB does not pick and choose which animal it infects, and farmers who are doing everything they can to protect their stock should not be penalised based on what farm they have.

“I do not just want it increased, I want uniformity across the board.

“The minister claims sheep and goat farms are being compensated, but this is not my understanding, so I will be asking more questions to find out exactly what has been paid out in the past.”

Last year almost 11,000 badgers were killed as part of the Government’s plan to control the spread of the disease.