One short phrase sums up why, for all the controversy and question marks, Defra Secretary of State Caroline Spelman was right yesterday to announce two trial badger culls to eradicate bovine TB. "The impacts of this terrible disease show us we need to act now," she said. "We cannot keep delaying."

It was by continuing to delay, prevaricate and kick solutions to bovine TB into the long grass that the last Labour government got us into the situation we find ourselves today. The losses have mounted up, the disease has gained an even tighter hold in both wild and domestic animals and the human misery has grown appallingly. No one in the countryside who makes their living through livestock farming will ever forgive Labour for that.

We are where we are, however, and at long last we can see, if not the end of the bovine TB crisis, then perhaps the beginning of the end. Let's be clear, Mrs Spelman has not authorised a general cull of badgers. She has announced trial culling, through the shooting of badgers by trained marksmen, in two areas. One of those must be here in the Westcountry. As a known bovine TB hotspot, it would be a missed opportunity if that were not to happen for the simple reason that the most meaningful results will be gained if the worst affected areas are targeted. And if those trials prove successful, licences will be issued in ten further areas for culling to take place.

We sincerely hope that the civil servants at Defra, who have been pouring over these plans for months, have made them legally watertight. A brief statement from the Badger Trust yesterday, to the effect they were studying the proposals "with their legal advisors", demonstrates a challenge is likely. It must, of course, be heard. But we sincerely hope that it doesn't unduly delay the trial cull, which is already likely to have to wait until after the Olympic Games, to ensure there is the police manpower available to deal with any clashes that occur as feelings on this issue become heated, as they inevitably will.

This is not and never will be an easy issue to deal with. Labour failed to act because, to be frank, ministers lacked the courage and feared the response of the electorate to a cull. That same negative reaction will still come, we are sure. At least, however, this government has shown the commitment to move forward. There will be arguments about whether culling in this way is the right way to proceed – indeed there are those who are in favour of controlling the badger population who do not support what is on the table. It is, however, the only option. All those who care about livestock farming, healthy cattle and reducing disease in the countryside, should support it.

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The biggest meal of the year – Christmas lunch – is approaching and will cost more than ever this year. Let's make it a local feast. The quality is assured – and the cash stays in the West.