THE BADGER BLOODBATH 33,000 to be slaughtered in latest cull
MORE than 33,000 badgers face slaughter in a rural bloodbath as 11 new kill zones are added to the Government’s culling scheme.
The number of shooting zones has been increased in the fight to curb TB in cattle and brings the total to 21 across the West of England.
The programme hopes to kill up to 33,437 badgers – more than double the 14,800-plus killed in the last four years.
If the top number is reached it will bring to 48,266 the total number killed since culls began in 2013.
But critics last night slammed the “cruel and ineffective” slaughter.
Queen star and animal rights campaigner Brian May said: “For the badgers, and for us as a nation, this cull is a tragedy and a disaster.
“The interests of farmers would be much better served by a fresh look at the problem; we believe the real solution is in sight, through enhanced TB testing. In years to come, I’m sure badger culling will be seen as an enormous red herring that squandered time, effort and money, and diverted attention away from finding the real solution.”
Badger Trust boss Dominic Dyer said: “No credible scientist has ever suggested culling badgers will make any significant impact on lowering TB in cattle and there is clear evidence the policy is failing badly.”
And Humane Society chief Claire Bass said the cull was “cruel and ineffective at controlling bovine TB” at a cost to taxpayers of more than £5,000 per badger. She added: “Expanding this failed policy defies belief.”
Policing last year’s cull cost £3million, and that is expected to soar this year. But supporters say bovine TB costs over £100million a year to taxpayers, and England has Europe’s highest rate of the disease.
Over 29,000 cattle were slaughtered in England last year because of TB, National Farmers’ Union deputy president Minette Batters said.
Farming Minister George Eustice also announced a vaccination scheme which, alongside culls and cattle control, is part of a plan to wipe out the disease in 20 years.
For badgers and us as a nation, this is a tragedy and disaster
BRIAN MAY MUSICIAN & ANIMAL RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER
PLANNING to shoot 33,437 badgers on the basis of disputed scientific evidence of a link to TB in cattle is a bloody cull.
Tory Ministers should brace themselves for a surge in opposition when killings on this incredible scale are revolting the public.