Culling badgers is ‘not the solution’
Northumberland Wildlife Trust has hit out at the Government’s decision to pursue more trials of badger culling to prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis, however the region’s National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has welcomed the announcement.
Last week, the Government said that it will work with the farming industry and the veterinary profession to continue to promote good biosecurity and provide advice and support to farmers, as well as investing £20 million over the next five years to develop effective cattle and oral badger vaccines as quickly as possible.
The programme also includes plans to license groups of farmers and landowners to carry out science-led, strictly controlled culls of badgers in the areas worst affected by TB.
However, the local wildlife charity’s chief executive has said that culling is not the solution.
Mike Pratt said: “This issue demands a scientific and practical approach. The rationale for, and practicality of, any cull of native species needs to be extremely clear and well proven. In this case it is not. The announcement of trialling shooting of badgers in pilot areas is still based on the assumption that culling can be a viable solution.”
Mr Pratt added: “There is already an injectable vaccine available for badgers, yet last year the Government cut funding for trialling it.”
The trust strongly supports the development of the vaccine for cattle and an oral vaccine for badgers, and is keen for the farming community, conservation organisations and the Government continue to work together to confront this disease.
Despite its opposition to the continued culling schemes, the trust has welcomed the Government’s funding for the development of a vaccine, declaring it a ‘critical tool’ to help break the disease cycle and reduce the levels of infection in cattle.
The Government’s announcement was more warmly welcomed by the north east NFU.
“We are fortunate in this part of the world, that the vast majority of the region is relatively unaffected by this terrible disease that last year resulted in 32,000 cattle being slaughtered in affected areas,” said the NFU’s regional director Richard Ellison.
“However we are seeing it march inexorably northwards and that is obviously something we are very concerned about, given that our goal is to protect both our local cattle and our wildlife – which is currently TB free.”
The NFU has said the farming industry is ready and able to work professionally and in partnership with Government and Natural England in the pilot cull areas, and in the development of a suitable vaccine.
NFU president Peter Kendall said: “Sometimes we have to do what is unpopular because we know it is right.
“Not taking action is no longer an option and the Government has recognised that. As the most recent science shows badger controls are absolutely necessary, together with cattle controls, to get on top of this devastating disease.”
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Weather for Berwick-Upon-Tweed
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 20 C
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