Badger Cull U-Turn

Farmers were expected to start shooting badgers in west Somerset and west Gloucestershire this week to stop the spread of alleged bovine tuberculosis. But a statement to the House of Commons, said the cull will have to be delayed because farmers are not ready. The cull had been delayed by the Olympics and Paralympics because not enough police were available to manage protests until after the events had finished. The weather has also made it difficult for farmers to find the time to bait setts and carry out surveys. In addition, a survey last week showed that the number of badgers in the cull areas has increased, with 4,300 in west Somerset and 3,600 in west Gloucestershire. At least 70 per cent of badgers (or 5530 of them) must be removed from an area for there to be a reduction in TB in cattle.

Somebody has pointed out that in contrast the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and France all have badgers but NO major issues with bovine TB. The real question now in reality is if the UK cattle have infected the badgers in the first place and not the other way around. TB originating due to bad husbandry and poor stock movement controls.

In another related issue that is almost now given approval by this stupid planned cull two men have been arrested in Lancashire following a series of police raids linked to badger baiting. The operation followed reports from the Helmshore area that a number of men had been digging badgers from setts and then throwing them to dogs. A dead badger with a shotgun wound to the head was later found at the site.

I guess they just couldn’t wait for the cull to begin – what a sad world we live in! Animals today people tomorrow.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/9627975/Badger-cull-delayed-as-minister-blames-weather-and-Olympics.html