RSPCA Calling to rule out badger cull in the recent outbreak of TB

This is the artical from the RSPCA main website:

I think thsi is great that the RSPCA are trying to stop this cull.... what do you think?

Mike

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

With a possible Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) announcement this week on cattle tuberculosis (TB) and how it might be better controlled, the RSPCA is calling on the government to rule out badger-culling in Wales.

Elin Jones AM, Minister for Rural Affairs, may make a statement on bovine tuberculosis (bTB) this week. The RSPCA believes a cull would be massively unpopular with the Welsh public, and would ignore scientific evidence.

ISG report concludes against a cull
The Independent Scientific Group (ISG) on bTB was tasked by the UK government with specific research on the effects of badger-culling on TB in cattle.

The painstaking work took nearly ten years, cost the lives of nearly 11,000 badgers and cost taxpayers £34 million.

The ISG report concluded that killing badgers could actually increase the spread of bTB, making matters worse rather than better. It said: "badger-culling can make no meaningful contribution to cattle TB control in Britain."

The RSPCA strongly supports:

enhanced testing of cattle and better biosecurity

quarantine arrangements for cattle moved from farm-to-farm

financial assistance to farmers to implement these and other measures to tackle bTB.

Claire Lawson, public affairs manager for the RSPCA in Wales, said: "Our opposition to badger-culling is based on sound science, not sentiment. The most authoritative scientific research ever undertaken on the subject recommended against badger-culling.

"The scientific evidence suggests that increasing the level of cattle testing, improving biosecurity and imposing stricter controls on the movement of cattle are the ways most likely to be effective in combating the spread of bovine TB.

"The Welsh public are passionate about animal welfare, and a senseless cull of badgers for no good reason will offend thousands of Welsh voters."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

From the topic:

11. Pet Politics - Rights, Ethics, Re-homing & the RSPCA.

Report

Comments

Post a comment in this discussion:

10 Apr 2008 14:18

Brenda Carter

The cull is going to happen.
I saw a report about it on msn and i have copied it and put it under the general forum so please read it and see what you think.

Report

08 Apr 2008 16:50

Member Removed

I think that badger culling is senseless, it is we humans that are at fault, constantly cutting corners with hygiene matters. An outbreak of any kind,usually is caused by man"s carelessness!

Report

08 Apr 2008 08:24

Chris Newman

This is a very difficult and complex issue, and not one that I would ordinarily comment on. However, last year or the year before perhaps the RSPCA were censored by the ASA for publishing misleading (dishonest) information regards to badgers and TB. Therefore I would be very circumspect on taking any information on face value from the RSPCA. Having said that I’m on the badger’s side, so unless there is irrefutable proof that a cull is necessary, then leave the little chaps alone.

Report

07 Apr 2008 22:06

Michael Catterall

Yes I don’t think that the badgers pass on TB to the cattle. We had 400 dairy cows on our farm when I was a child with very few out breaks of any disease..

I am 100% behind the RSPCA with this one.

Report

07 Apr 2008 17:12

Rosie R

Hi Mike,

my sister is married to a dairy farmer. They have badgers on their land that have been there for generations. My brother in law has had failed TB tests on his cattle in the past but is convinced this is because of new stock brought in from market etc.

He says the only time that the incidence of TB in cattle went down was during the foot & mouth outbreak 6 years ago & he's convinced that it's because there was no movement of stock & the countryside was closed to the public.
The badgers were still there so why didnt the cattle get infected if they are to blame??
He thinks that it's more likely that the badgers pick it up from the cattle initially then it goes back & forth between them.

Incidently, after the last failed test he had to have 3 clear ones before he could sell the milk again. He got rid of what he thought were the culprits (cows) & has had no new stock since. He has been TB clear for over 2 years & the badgers are still in situ & thriving.

Report