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RSPCA exasperation at extension of badger cull in Gloucestershire

RSPCA exasperation at extension of badger cull in Gloucestershire

The RSPCA is aghast to hear the badger cull in Gloucestershire has been extended for more than double its length, which could make the problems of bovine TB in cattle worse not better.

The Government has now confirmed it will extend this pilot cull by an extra eight weeks after the numbers of badgers shot were revealed as less than half the target recommended by its own research. Only 30% of badgers were killed in this area in the previous six weeks, rather than the 70% which scientists said is needed to make sure bovine TB in cattle is not spread further.

This means the cull will be longer than the period recommended to Defra by a group of scientific experts based on the original Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT)[1].

It was using these recommendations that the current cull methods were developed, so any extension would go against these recommendations and could potentially make the situation worse.

David Bowles, Head of External Affairs for the RSPCA, said: “It is utterly exasperating.

“The cull in Gloucestershire has clearly failed and yet the Government seems intent on making things worse and worse.

“Hundreds of badgers are being killed in an attempt to control bovine TB in cattle, and yet the best scientific opinion says the way they are doing is likely to be spreading the devastating disease instead.

“They are ignoring their own research, and their own science – even their own Chief Scientific Advisor did not say he was in favour of an extension.  It is a complete mess.                 

The RSPCA was appalled when the first shots were fired against badgers at the end of August. The charity cares about cattle and badgers equally but does not think a cull is the answer to bovine TB in cattle. We remain committed to persuading the Government to put a stop to what we believe is a misguided, unethical and unscientific attempt to control bovine TB in cattle, which will not help solve the problems caused by this devastating disease or benefit cattle, badgers or dairy farmers and rural communities.

For more information about what you can do to help stop the cull, visit http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaigns/wildlife/stop-the-cull

 

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[1] Note to editors: http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/tb/documents/bovinetb-scientificexperts-110404.pdf