© Laurie Campbell
It was announced on Tuesday 8th April 2008 that there would be a ‘targeted cull’ of badgers in Wales. This cull will form part of plan wipe out tuberculosis in cattle. The NFU Cymru and the Farmers' Union of Wales have welcomed the plans unveiled as part of a proactive approach to controlling bovine TB in Wales. However the RSPB, Badger Trust and other wildlife and conservation groups have urged the Welsh Assembly Government to reject the proposal. They believe that badgers are being wrongly victimised for an illness brought on by modern, intensive farming.
There is no doubt that tuberculosis (TB) in cattle is a huge problem. Wales, along with the south west and parts of the Midlands are the traditional hot-spots for the disease. In 2007 nearly 8000 cattle were slaughtered in Wales due to the disease which is a massive rise from under 700 in 1997.
Farmers have always firmly believed that it is badgers that spread the disease, however those opposed to the cull say there is no scientific evidence to prove this.
Although limited badger culls have taken place in the past this is the first time that such a cull has taken place. The cull will eradicate all badgers within a defined area. The area has yet to be defined.
© iStock
© Laurie Campbell
To learn more about this debate please see the links below.
Badger Trust
National Farmers Union (NFU)
If you wish to help prevent the intended cull then please follow the link below and sign the petition, please do this quickly as the petition is only open until the 6th July.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/stop-badger-cull/
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