It is the government’s intention to kill badgers in 2011 as part of a control to stop the spread of Bovine TB in cattle. This is despite robust and sound science that proves it has ‘no meaningful contribution to the control of Bovine TB in cattle’.
The Government is holding a consultation suggesting different methods and asking you, the general public to tell them what you want to see happen. They have said that they will listen to the replies to this consultation but they have not made it easy for people to reply.
The Badger Trust details suggestions as to how to reply. If you do not want to see badgers cage trapped and shot or free running badgers killed with a rifle – please take the time to reply.
Visit http://www.badgerprotectionleague.com/information.php and use follow their guidelines on replying to the English and Welsh consulations. Time is short - Please Do it Now!
Their lives are literally in your hands
These are the questions with my answers (substitute your own) and send to tbbc@defra.gsi.gov.uk'
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1: Comments are invited on the options, costs and assumptions made in the Impact Assessment
I am against any unnecessary killing of wildlife, and feel that the scientific evidence does not support a cull of badgers. The data from reactive culling is lacking and inconclusive, and the other data implies that the problem of bTB could be made worse due to the perturbation effect.
Question 2: Do you agree with the preferred option?
No. Culling badgers will not solve the problem of TB in cattle. I would recommend a government led policy of badger vaccination to be the way forward, coupled with tighter restrictions applied to the movement, and the husbandry of cattle.
Question 3: Do you agree that this approach, of issuing licences to farmers/landowners, is the most appropriate way to operate a badger control policy?
No. See Q1 above. Also, this approach cannot be effectively monitored.
Question 4: Do you agree with the proposed licensing criteria for culling and vaccination?
No. The proposed option is untenable
Question 5: Do you agree that the proposed methods of culling are effective and humane?
No. A clean, humane kill cannot be guaranteed, nor can this be monitored. There will also be health and safety issues in public areas.
Question 6: Do you agree with the proposed use of vaccination, particularly its focus on mitigating the perturbation effects of culling?
Whilst I agree with the use of vaccination per se, I cannot agree with its use as a supplement to a culling option. It will be impossible to administer effectively in this context and, more importantly, it is an inhumane act to create the perturbation effect in the first place. Once any infected badgers are dispersing, they will potentially be causing the spread of the bacteria.
Question 7: Should anything further be done to encourage the use of vaccination?
Yes. Utmost priority should be given to developing and implementing an oral badger vaccine.
Question 8: Do you agree with the proposed monitoring?
No. The proposed monitoring would be inadequate, it would not reveal any non-compliance of the licensing conditions.