The latest survey polling public support for the cull of diseased badgers is a further endorsement of the plan, although there should be no surprise because it was an NFU-commissioned survey.

A total of 1,023 people contacted across England and Wales were questioned on their knowledge of bovine TB and whether they supported a badger cull.

Just more than two-thirds said they were aware that cattle catch TB, but when asked if badgers can spread the cattle to cattle, nearly half (49.4 per cent) strongly agreed or agreed while 41 per cent did not have an opinion. Less than 10 per cent disagreed or strongly disagreed.

The main finding of the survey was that 62 per cent said they supported a legal cull, with 38 per cent against.

This contradicts a BBC survey, published earlier this year, showing that around two-thirds of the public were opposed to a badger cull

The survey figures should come as a boost to Government and industry plans for a badger cull in England, in the face of intensive campaigning against the policy.

It also shows the ignorance of many people about the facts of bTB, yet they maintain robust views.