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RSPCA disappointment that Badger Trust loses appeal against cull

RSPCA disappointment that Badger Trust loses appeal against cull

 

The RSPCA supported The Badger Trust's legal challenge of a badger cull in England and is disappointed it was not successful – but says the fight still goes on.

Chief Executive Gavin Grant said: “We are bitterly disappointed that the UK Government in England is ploughing on with plans to kill badgers but the fight is not over yet.

“Only today we joined Brian May, a coalition of charities and  crowds of protestors at a public rally to put a stop to this cull as the start date draws near.

“This ongoing Stop the Cull campaign is rapidly gaining momentum and public support – as we have seen by the number of people turning up today. It is time the Government listened.

“It needs to look at the science and the results achieved in Wales and change their policy to one of vaccination – let’s cure and not kill.”

Notes to editors

·         Scientific studies have shown that culling would be of little help in reducing the bovine TB in cattle and even suggest that it could make things worse in some areas.

·         The Stop the Cull campaign is pushing for the government to rethink their policy and implement a vaccination programme, along with, increased levels of testing, improved farm biosecurity and stricter controls on the movement of cattle rather than culling 70% of the badger population, the vast majority of which are disease free. The Welsh government, using the same scientific evidence as Defra, has begun a five year vaccination programme of badgers in Wales.

·         The rally was held at College Green, Bristol and follows the success of public meetings held in Tewkesbury and Taunton.

·         It was organised with a coalition of charities including Save Me (run by rock guitarist Brian May), the League Against Cruel Sports and Humane Society International (UK).

·         Images of the event will be available from Wednesday morning (September 12).

 

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