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Huge opposition to cull plan says wildlife trust

TIVYSIDE ADVERTISER
22 December 2010

There is “huge opposition” to plans to cull badgers in north Pembrokeshire and parts of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, according to the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.

The Trust says it has “received massive feedback” both from its members and members of the public about the plans by the Welsh Assembly Government for the cull, which is part of the Government’s strategy to combat bovine TB.

The consultation period ended on Friday and the Trust, which has submitted its own detailed opposition in response to the consultation, says it was inundated with requests for information about how the public could send in objections.

Conservation manager Dr Lizzie Wilberforce said:“We have always supported the Welsh Assembly in its aim to tackle bovine TB in cattle, and we understand the devastation it causes to farming families.

However, we continue to object to the proposals to cull, because we believe a better alternative is available, in vaccination.”

She added:“As our position became widely known, we received a great many requests for information from members of the public about how to object, and have been sent copies of a great many peoples’ responses to the consultation, objecting to the cull on scientific grounds. Many also had ethical objections, or had reservations about the massive cost implications for only short term gain.”

A petition containing 2,285 signatures against the cull and calling for vaccination as an alternative was collected at the Wildlife Centre, Cilgerran.

Dr Wilberforce added: “What is clear is that not only do the proposals to cull have no exit strategy for the long term sustainable reduction of bovine TB, but there is massive public opposition.

In contrast, a vaccination strategy could make a real contribution to the elimination of the disease, and bring the public on board at the same time."

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