FARMING leaders in the Ribble Valley have called on the Government to take action against the spread of tuberculosis.

The government began a three-month consultation this week to consider proposals to curb cattle tuberculosis by culling badgers.

Ministers propose licensing farmers in England to shoot badgers on their land.

But bosses at the National Farmers’ Union branch in Clitheroe have warned that if action is not taken soon the bovine TB could spread to cattle on farms in the Ribble Valley.

Colin Metcalfe, a group secretary at the Clitheroe NFU, said that the TB had already spread from the south west of the country into Cheshire.

He added: “Even though there are only isolated cases in this part of the world, anything that would stop the spread of TB would be very welcome.

“Scientific evidence shows that badgers are partially to blame for the spread and we want to make sure that everything is done to ensure that is does not affect any farms in this area.

“If it there was an outbreak of TB in the Ribble Valley it could have a devastating impact on farmers.

"The farm would be brought to a standstill and they would not be able to sell their cattle at the auction marts in Gisburn and Clitheroe which would have a huge financial impact.”

The government says culling is badly needed to curb a disease that costs the UK more than £100m per year.

The NFU is to consult with farmers' groups across regions of England affected by bovine TB - predominantly the South West and counties along the Welsh border - on the detail of their response to the government's proposals.

The European badger is a protected species under European and British law, but ministers can sanction killing in certain circumstances, including to tackle diseases.

Licences are issued by the statutory agency Natural England.

The government exepcts to make a decision by early 2011.