Badger cull is not solution to disease (From News Shopper)

Badger cull is not solution to disease

11:34am Tuesday 6th November 2007 in Letters

THE RSPCA is echoing the anger of scientists about Government adviser Sir David King's "outrageous" call for a badger cull to reduce bovine TB in cattle.

Robust science has shown a cull could have a disastrous effect on cattle and badgers.

Sir David's findings contradict the most rigorous study ever on the impact of badger culling on TB in cattle.

Professor John Bourne - whose Independent Scientific Group (ISG) undertook the badger culling study - recently told a committee of MPs the King report appeared "hastily written" and "superficial". The ISG recommended cattle controls to reduce the spread of bovine TB.

"Badger culling can make no meaningful contribution to cattle TB control in Britain," the ISG report concluded.

To proceed with a cull would make a nonsense of the ISG research which took almost 10 years, cost the lives of more than 10,000 badgers and cost taxpayers £34m.

Contact your MP or write to the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State, Defra, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR to voice your disapproval of the cull.

Sign the online petition at rspca.org.uk/badgers.

Sally Bruce RSPCA regional manager for South East Region