Farmers Stand Firm Behind Badger Cull

UK - Farmers are standing firm behind the government’s bovine tuberculosis (TB) eradication policy, which will include pilot badger culls, despite increased intimidation and harassment from animal rights activists.
calendar icon 3 October 2012
clock icon 3 minute read
National Farmers Union

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has confirmed that no-one has pulled out of the trial area in Gloucestershire, after some national newspapers reported the opposite.

NFU President Peter Kendall said: “I want to get one thing clear for those who think the tactics of harassment and intimidation from animal rights activists are winning the day on the serious issue of how we deal with TB in this country.

“Farmers remain committed to helping government deliver on its TB eradication programme that will reduce TB in both cattle and badgers.

“No-one wants to cull badgers but we simply can’t go on while TB increases its vice-like grip on our family farms. In 1998 less than 6,000 cows were culled because they had TB, in 2011 it was more than 34,000. And every single one of those cows was culled to prevent them passing the disease on. It’s a fact that TB exists in wildlife and no amount of culling of cattle will ever control this disease while there are still badgers spreading it further.”

The proposed cull pilots due to take place this autumn are targeting two specific hotspot areas where the incidence of TB in wildlife is persistent and high in the South West, with the possibility of further culls in other hotspot areas in the coming years. Most of England is TB free and there are no plans to carry out culls of badgers in areas where there is no TB.

The Government’s TB eradication programme also includes vaccination which is being used as part of the package of measures to control the spread of TB. But it is not an option in those hotspot areas because vaccine alone cannot cure an infected animal. And the practicalities mean that it is highly unlikely that enough badgers would be trapped and injected to have any impact on the disease in either cattle or badgers.

“I have two messages,” said Mr Kendall. “To the animal rights protestors who are intent on intimidating and harassing people who are simply trying to run their businesses and look after their families I would say your tactics are not working. Your campaign is based on misinformation, scaremongering and bullying with no scientific basis.

“And to the general public, I say look at the science yourself before making up your mind. Find out for yourself the impact that TB is having on the welfare of British cattle and ask which other countries have managed to get on top of TB without controlling wildlife.

“For those in any doubt, this policy has been through two rigorous public consultations. It has also been upheld after challenges in both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The policy is backed by scientists, vets and government who all agree that this is the best way of controlling the spread of this awful disease throughout the country.”

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