Cornwall Wildlife Trust says Badger Culling is Not the Answer

[Guest guest]

14 February 2006

 

Cornwall Wildlife Trust says Culling is Not the Answer

Cornwall Wildlife Trust fears the Government is preparing to defy

its own scientists and implement the mass eradication of badgers

across much of the South West.

 

The Trust believes Ministers could disregard years of scientific

research into the spread of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and cull

badgers in an attempt to control the disease, despite being told

that this will not work.

 

As a result, Cornwall Wildlife Trust is urging its members to stand

up for the protected species by responding to a public consultation

on the issue before the deadline of 10th March 2006.

 

Trevor Edwards, Director of Cornwall Wildlife Trust said, " The Trust

appreciates the impact that bTB has and sympathises with farmers

affected.

However badger culling is clearly not the solution and could make

matters worse. The Government must be urged not to waste public

resources in this way and to focus their efforts on finding

effective long-term solutions.

 

Scientists have spent the last seven years investigating whether or

not culling badgers will stop the spread of this very serious

disease in cattle and the answer they are getting is that culling

could actually make the problem worse. The Government's own

research is telling them that cattle-to-cattle transmission is the

biggest reason for the spread of bTB, and that culling badgers

around affected farms does not reduce the overall incidence of the

disease.

 

The South West Wildlife Trusts have collectively written to Defra

asking if they are already formulating plans for a badger cull,

despite the end of the public consultation still being more than

three weeks away.

 

Simon Brenman, Director of Regional Programmes for the South West

Wildlife Trusts said, " Unfortunately, rather than accepting that a

cull is not the best way forward, some groups are using the evidence

to lobby for a more widespread programme of eradication and it looks

like Ministers might agree with them despite warnings from their own

scientists that this approach would not be practical, acceptable or

cost effective. "

 

Cornwall Wildlife Trust is acutely aware of the potential impact of

bTB on local farmers, many of who work with closely with the Trust

and play a crucial role in conserving wildlife and managing the

countryside. However,it does no one any good if we fly in the face

of science and make a scapegoat of badgers.

 

The Trust is asking ANYONE who feels strongly that badgers should be

protected to contact their local MPs, and write to: Bovine TB and

Badgers Consultation, Defra, 1a Page Street, London SW1 4PQ

or e-mail: bTB.consultation

 

Responses must be in by 5pm on Friday March 10.