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This cull must not go ahead

THE REDDITCH & ALCESTER STANDARD
12 November, 11.15AM

THE AGRICULTURE minister recently announced plans to cull thousands of badgers in England to try and eradicate bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle.

This is despite the weight of scientific evidence being firmly against this. Results from a £40m badger culling trial over an 11 year period led the Independent Scientific Group to conclude that such action “would make no meaningful contribution to bTB control in cattle”.

They also said that “the increasing trend in cattle bTB could be reversed by using better cattle control measures alone”. It is also interesting that, in a recent judicial review, three High Court judges decided that the scientific evidence did not support the Welsh Assembly proposals to cull badgers in Wales.

It is worth noting too that Scotland has an abundance of badgers - yet has been declared bTB free by the EU. This has been achieved by more rigorous cattle movement control, better animal husbandry and no badger killing.

If the English proposals are adopted farmers will be able to shoot trapped or free running badgers and cubs.

The shooting of free runners will cause untold suffering to animals which are wounded rather than killed outright.

Such shooting may also present dangers to the public as many badger setts are relatively near to footpaths used by dog walkers, and other nature lovers.

There is a badger vaccine available. So if animals are to be trapped then surely vaccination and release would be preferable to the unjustified shooting of them.

It is very important anyone interested in saving our native badgers, exercises their right to take part in the culling consultation process.

You can make your opinions count by responding to the questions in the consultation document report.

These questions, and guidance about how to present your response, can be found by looking on the Badger Trust website at www.badger.org.uk and clicking on the link to ‘Response to Consultation Document issued by DEFRA’.

The closing date for replies is December 8 so time is short.

Steve Hawkes
Warwickshire Badger Group

NOTE:  We also have GUIDANCE NOTES on SAVE-ME.  PLEASE VISIT: SAVE-ME CONSULTATION NOTES

 

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