The Government has announced that it will green-light a badger cull in order to prevent the spread of bovine TB. Public opinion is opposed to the cull in light of the fact that it will actually create more of a problem. In fact evidence of overwhelming public opposition to the proposed cull of badgers was withheld until the Government had decided to go ahead with the controversial plan. The government's own scientific advisers warn that it won't solve the problem of TB in cattle. The issue is this, the cull is a DIY effort, meaning that landowners will be able to self-organise and shoot free-running badgers completely unregulated  and unsupervised. The reason this has come about is due to the Environment Secretary accepting too big a budget cut and therefore not having the means to fund the effective solution which involves vaccinations and better cattle welfare. Shooting free-running badgers will make the problem of bovine TB worse as the badgers will flee to other areas of the country. In short, the cull is a political gesture to appease the farmers.  Please note the quotes from the experts below and the story from The Independent.

"This is despite scientific studies which have shown that culling would be of little help in reducing the disease in the long term, and could actually make things worse in some areas." - RSPCA

“I can’t understand how anybody who’s looked at the science would say this is a good idea.” - Professor John Krebs

"Time and again in recent years, responsible and authoritative research has concluded that a cull will not prevent cattle from contracting TB, and indeed that it could make the situation worse." Bill Oddie

Majority objected to badger cull before policy was approved - The Independent

Simply put a cull is not good for us as humans. It will lead to a larger spread when we should be taking better care of cattle to start with rather than engaging in such intense farming. Do we really want people tearing around the countryside with guns shooting wildlife? How will they dispose of all the corpses? Burn them? The alternative is oral vaccination for both cattle and badgers. Safer and far more effective. I for one would fundraise for that. I am also concerned that the shooting of badgers will introduce a new rural bloodsport and add extra support to the repeal of the Hunting Act.

Please sign either of the petitions below:-

http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/badgers-petition#petition

http://www.league.org.uk/badgerpetition

Here is what we are calling for instead (from http://www.greenexe.org.uk/badgers/)

WHY WE OPPOSE THE BADGER CULL

It is inhumane

• Shooting of free-running badgers will cause substantial injuries and suffering, leaving many cubs to starve to death. The RSPCA and other animal welfare organisations are warning of a welfare disaster.

It won't work

• A long-term study by top scientists has already established that badger culling "CAN MAKE NO MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTION TO THE CONTROL OF TB IN CATTLE IN THE UK." The Government's own key advisor Lord Krebs has stated publicly that a cull "would be a mistake".
• The study showed that 5 out of 6 of badgers culled were not infected. No data on the level of infection has been collected since.
• Culling can actually make matters worse, as infected badgers fleeing from the shooting take the disease with them and spread it to other areas.
• According to Lord Krebs, culling would only reduce the level of TB in cattle by around 12 - 16 per cent. Although badgers (and other wildlife) do carry TB and pass it on to cows, cattle-to-cattle transmission is a far more significant factor.
• According to opinion polls, the vast majority of the public - in both urban and rural regions - are against a cull. Bovine TB is a serious problem, but the cruel and indiscriminate slaughter of our much-loved native animals merely to appease the farming lobby is not the answer.

WHAT WE ARE CALLING FOR INSTEAD In the short term:

• A badger vaccination programme. Experts - including many farmers - agree that this is the best way forward. Substantial public funds have already been invested in a vaccine, and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the National Trust - on its Killerton estate here in Devon - are leading the way with pilot vaccination projects conducted at their own expense.

More generally:

• Properly enforced hygiene measures, accurate testing procedures and stricter controls on cattle movements.
• Investment in higher welfare standards. Stocking densities and milk yields have increased dramatically over the last 30 years. Intensive farming puts dairy cows under enormous stress, leaving them susceptible to disease.

Please check out the video from the ITN News