Concern over culling proposals
Wednesday 15th September 2010
The Wildlife Trusts are concerned that proposals by the Government for badger culling in England’s bovine tuberculosis (bTB) hotspots will not help control the spread of the disease to cattle.
Agricultural minister Jim Paice has today (Wednesday 15 September) unveiled a range of measures for consultation, following the coalition government’s pledge to introduce a ‘science-led policy of badger control in areas with high and persistent levels of bovine tuberculosis.’ Earlier this year he confirmed the Government was looking at a range of measures, including culling and badger vaccination, to control the spread of the disease to cattle.
The Wildlife Trusts acknowledge bTB is a significant problem that causes hardship for many in the farming community. There is no single solution to this disease but any approach must take account of ecological as well as veterinary science. It should be tackled on many fronts: vaccination of badgers, cattle controls and improved biosecurity on farms. The rationale for any cull of native species needs to be extremely clear and well proven.
We are concerned the scientific evidence does not support the culling of badgers as part of that solution. It could even make matters worse by disturbing the remaining badgers, so spreading the disease further. The Wildlife Trusts are willing to work with the farming community and others to confront this disease in a science-led and constructive way.
Story by RSWT