Badger your MP to stop this cruel cull
WHEN you ask a child not to do something they will sometimes do it again just to spite you. Then they will get bored and stop doing it, probably because they know it is wrong.
When you ask a government to stop culling badgers because scientists have told them it is wrong, they just carry on doing it. Perhaps they are hoping we will get bored and let them get on with it.
We have a new secretary of state for the environment, Andrea Leadsom, and she appears happy to continue with her predecessor’s agreement to continue the badger cull as the main way to combat bovine TB in cattle.
Evidence shows this hasn’t worked so far.
The culls in Somerset and Gloucester have not hit targets and are hugely expensive.
Paul Wilkinson, The Wildlife Trusts’ head of living landscapes, says: “The evidence shows that badgers are not the primary culprits in the spread of TB in cattle.
“The primary route of infection is via cow-tocow contact.
“The killing of badgers is extremely costly for the taxpayer and poor value for money. The 2013-14 culls in Gloucestershire and Somerset cost the taxpayer more than £4.9m in policing costs.”
There have been cases of bovine TB in Cheshire, the problem is already on our doorstep. But do we want the cull to follow? It’s like a horror film.
I was out and about again this week in an area where I know there are badger setts. I kept my eyes peeled. I have seen these magnificent creatures in the wild and I am proud that they continue to live among us in the north west and the wider UK.
Imagine a north west where badgers are culled to dangerous levels. Imagine our north west woodlands without badgers.
A huge majority of British people share my feelings.
A huge majority are bemused that the government is continuing to license the culling of badgers, despite the misgivings of experts and their voters. Many farmers do not agree with the cull.
Wildlife Trusts are calling for a number of measures to prevent bovine TB so that we can end the cull.
I stress to fight bovine TB we are happy to unite with all parties involved.
Wildlife Trust president emeritus Simon King has launched an e-petition to demand MPs discuss an end to the cull. He said: “Any extension of badger culling into new areas should be prevented.
The scientific evidence demonstrates that culling is likely to be ineffective in fighting the disease and risks making the problem even worse.
“Culling is not the solution and gives farmers false hope.”
We will need your support. Write or speak to your MP or sign the e-petition at https:// petition.parliament.uk/ petitions/165672
To become a member of the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, go to the website at www. lancswt.org.uk or call 01772 324129.