WEST Somerset is one of two areas chosen for a pilot badger cull to combat bovine tuberculosis in cattle.

Agriculture Minister Jim Paice confirmed as we went to press yesterday (Thursday) that the district - hotly tipped to be chosen from a shortlist of eight - had been selected, along with West Gloucestershire.

Landowners and farmers in both areas are now being invited to apply for four-year licences to shoot badgers as part of a science-led and closely monitored policy to bring bovine TB under control.

"Bovine TB is a chronic and devastating disease," said Mr Paice.

"It causes the slaughter of tens of thousands of cattle each year and is taking a terrible toll on our farmers and rural communities.

"Nobody wants to cull badgers but no country in the world where wildlife carries TB has eradicated the disease in cattle without tackling it in wildlife too."

Mr Paice said the pilot culls were part of a wide range of action on bovine TB.

"We already have robust measures to control its spread amongst cattle, which we plan to strengthen further, and are continuing to work hard on the development of practical and usable vaccines."

The disease forced the slaughter of 25,000 cattle in 2010 and will cost taxpayers around £1 billion over the next ten years if not dealt with.

The pilots will allow the examination of how safe, humane and effective controlled shooting is and follow public consultation on tackling bovine TB in December last year.

Assuming licences are granted, the culls are likely to begin in early autumn.

If deemed successful, up to a further ten cull areas could be sanctioned each year from 2013.