There are alternatives to badger culling
The Government in its infinite wisdom is to go ahead with a pilot scheme for a proposed badger cull. In selected areas farmers will be allowed to shoot badgers to halt the spread of bovine TB.
A 10-year independent scientific study concluded that a cull of badgers would be ineffective. Former UK Government scientific adviser, Lord Krebs agreed.
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Over 75,000 badgers were culled in Eire with no real effect and Dr Liam Downey said, "Of course we've known for years that badger culls don't work".
He said: "There's good scientific research available to show that culling badgers can make things worse and not better".
The sensible option is a vaccination programme but there is insufficient money. Allowing farmers to shoot badgers is a cheap option, although ineffective, and it pleases the farmers.
The proposed slaughter of these innocent creatures is a disgrace. But what else can we expect from this anti animal Government?
Elizabeth Allison, Leicester.
Comments
by Eastonian
Saturday, December 17 2011, 9:59AM
“Perhaps a 'Happy Badger' Club could be formed with the redoubtable Ms. Allison as the head. They could scour the land and be responsible for vaccinating these creatures and everyone could live happiliy ever after. No way, impractical, I hear you say.
On the other hand, we know badgers carry this disease and our cattle stocks become infected so how come they are so "innocent"?!!”