FARMERS' leaders have criticised animal charity the RSPCA for releasing four badgers into the countryside near Lydeard St Lawrence as part of a study to track their movements in the wild. The RSPCA released the electronically tagged animals with the consent of a local landowner as part of an experiment to document their movements. The first local farmers knew of the scheme was when they spotted a Land Rover kitted out with a long aerial to track the badgers. The animals have long been accused of spreading TB to cattle, although extensive research has yet to prove a conclusive link. Jonathan Moorhouse, who has a pedigree herd of Hereford cattle, said the RSPCA had acted irresponsibly, particularly as there were currently heightened concerns about the disease. He said: "We live in fear of TB all the time. There has been an increase in the disease in this area over the last few years. "This is an irresponsible thing for the RSPCA to do when everyone is concerned about TB." Mr Moorhouse questioned the logic behind releasing animals which ran the risk of being attacked by badgers already living in the area as the animals were territorial. The charity's actions were also condemned by National Farmers' Union which said the badgers should not have been released if there was even the slightest chance of aiding the spread of TB. But the RSPCA said all the animals had been in captivity for some time and had been given the all- clear from the disease on several occasions. Spokesman Jo Barr said any badger showing signs of TB would have been destroyed, while the released animals had been set free in line with strict guidelines. She said: "As an organisation we are only going with the scientific evidence. "If there was any suggestion that these animals were not surviving or integrating we would review our policy."