ENVIRONMENT Secretary Elizabeth Truss told the Oxford Farming Conference that the Government will press ahead with its strategy to eradicate bovine TB by 2038.

Cattle movement controls, vaccination in the "edge" areas and culling badgers where the disease is rife will continue.

"It is not easy, but we will do the right thing even if the protest groups don't like it," she said.

Experience in Australia, where bovine TB has been eradicated, and in Ireland and New Zealand where it is being dramatically reduced, showed it worked.

"This government is determined to continue implementing all of the elements of our comprehensive strategy. We will not walk away. We will do whatever it takes to eradicate this disease."

Protecting the country from animal and plant disease was a top priority – since 2010 the number of frontline vets in Defra had been maintained and its investigatory capacity expanded. A chief plant officer had been appointed for the first time and the position of chief vet promoted to Director General to reflect its importance.

"This meant that when a case of avian flu in Driffield was reported a Government vet was on the premises that day. We took immediate action," said Mrs Truss.

A national control centre was immediately established in London and a forward operating base in Beverley, with a 3km protection and 10km surveillance zone imposed.

Cutting red tape remained a priority as did her determination to see change at a European level, which is the source of 80pc of environmental regulation alone.

She had sought an urgent review of the three crop rule and simpler greening requirements.

"I want farmers growing what people want to buy, not what Europe tells them to," said Mrs Truss, who also called for decisions on issues like pesticides and GM cultivation to be made on scientific evidence alone.

"Ultimately we want far more decisions to be taken in Britain for the benefit of British producers. In the 18th century, we started the world's agricultural revolution and our farmers are geared up for the next one.

"We have the leading scientists. The expert farmers. The integrated systems. Our £160m agritech strategy will lead directly to innovations in the fields and on the shelves."