Back off badgers
We were devastated that, following years of contentious debate, the government confirmed that it will go ahead with a pilot badger cull in two areas of England in 2012.
Announcement of pilot badger culls
The general locations of the pilot culls have been announced and are in the districts of West Somerset/Taunton Deane and in the Forest of Dean/Tewkesbury area.
The announcement comes despite scientific studies which have shown that culling would be of little help in reducing the disease, and could actually make things worse in some areas. And amid fierce opposition from the public as a 100,000 strong petition was delivered to the government in October to protest the plans.
Alarmingly, the culls could see populations decline by more than 70 per cent, and as the cull cannot be selective, many badgers killed will be healthy animals. The culls will involve issuing licences for the free shooting of badgers and there are no details as to how such culls will be monitored, which is a further cause for concern.
More effective ways to combat bovine TB for good
The proposals are part of a package of measures aimed at controlling bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle. But eminent scientists, animal welfare experts and high-profile figures such as Sir David Attenborough all believe that a cull is not the way to tackle these problems.
We think that the following are more effective ways of dealing with the problem in the long term and eradicating bovine TB in cattle for good:
- vaccination of badgers
- increased levels of testing
- improved biosecurity and stricter controls on the movement of cattle.
How you can help?
If you live in the areas surrounding the two pilot areas in West Somerset and West Gloucestershire – We need you!
To get involved please e-mail campaigns@rspca.org.uk
You can also show your support by sharing your badger pictures with us in our new Flickr group: Set Back for Badgers
More information
You can download our response to the original consultation here:
Read our response to Defra's consultation on Guidance to Natural England on the implementation and enforcement of a badger control policy here:
- Consultation response on guidance to Natural England [PDF, 629kb]
Read our Q&A on the badger cull here:
- Badger cull Q&A [PDF, 60kb]
What about Wales?
Find out about the situation in Wales.
