The Badger Cull

As Brian May says, although this is good news it is only a reprieve. Supporters of a vaccine for cattle, and everyone who wants to Save The Badger, need to maintain the pressure for progress if our aims are to be achieved.

It is likely that the recent decision may well result in a backlash in some areas. So if you are out in the countryside walking, etc, if you know any badger setts in your area- do keep an eye and report any 'strange' happenings, dogs barking, people with dogs and spades, shooting at night, etc, to your local Wildlife police officer, via your local police.

Whitewave What do you mean by, 'the science is not with them?'

Tipuna. Anyone who has been reading this thread knows that I support the farming industry and am passionate about the countryside. However, I cannot agree with your last paragraph. Yes, rural life benefits because people who have lived and worked there for centuries have passed on their knowledge and understanding but modern farming would be nothing without scientists, engineers, botanists, zoologists et al.

A vaccine for cattle against bTB is long awaited. It will, of course, be developed in a laboratory not in a field.

Farmers do not own the countryside they simply make their living there.Of course badgers aren't cuddly I don't think any of us are so stupid to think they are. But we live in a democratic society and like fox hunting it would appear that the majority of the British population disagree with the cull as well as hunting. Farmers must make a more convincing case - but I suspect that the science is not with them.
We should cherish what we have got not rampage through it either killing for a jolly day out or for economic reasons.

Is David Attenborough 'just a townie without a clue'? Are all the eminent scientists who have signed against the cull, not for 'romantic/fluffly bunnies' reasons, but because the scientific case just does NOT stand up, just 'townies' who do not understand the issues? Are all the farmers against the cull all townies?

Whenim64 - I agree. Just because someone lives in a town does not make them a 'townie' and ignorant of the countryside. Many people living in towns now were brought up in the countryside and have close relatives and friends still in the countryside. Many living in towns have closely studied the issues with an open mind, and with scientific training. Just calling people 'ignoramus townies' is certainly NOT respectful.

Sorry, Tipuna I hear what you say, but countryfolk do not have the monopoly of the countryside. It is possible for townspeople to understand the issues and to offer suggestions.

Some years ago at an NFU (National Farmers Union) meeting - I am a member - I suggested that as Badgers love sweet food then why not place tubs of molasses at the entrance to badger setts LACED WITH CONTRACEPTIVE. Thereby reducing the badger population harmlessly. Over a period of time the population would stabilise.

You cannot keep culling one side of the equation - there is no commonsense to this. This problem will not go away unless strong action is taken.

Many years ago - 40's and 50's, whenever there was an outbreak of bTB in a herd all bovine animals were culled - AND SO WERE ALL THE LOCAL BADGERS. Result - no bTB.

There are too many badgers, many of which are sick. A good farmer will know where his setts are and which ones have badgers whose behaviour indicates that they are ill.

BADGERS ARE NOT CUDDLY CREATURES. Beside sweet food, they also love hedgehogs - is it a surprise that as Badgers have increased their numbers since the 1971 Protection of Badgrs Act that the Hedgehog population has decreased. Hedgehog numbers have declined from 30 million in the late '60's to about 1 million in 2012. They cannot all have been run over on Britains roads!

The south west has a high badger population because many dairy farms grow maize (sweet food for badgers) for winter fodder. Maize is a hot country plant but it is grown in the wet west country - the crop is therefore not grown in its correct environment and moulds and fungus abound in its storage. Badgers gain entry to winter feeding areas of cows and pound around amongst the fungus and mould and then tranport it to their setts. Is it possible that bTB bacteria is being transported on badger feet?

As has been mentioned elswhere on this blog page, British Dairy farmers are subject to the strictest welfare standards in the World and do not idly transport their animals hither and thither - even if desired, they cannot afford to!

PLEASE WILL TOWNSFOLK ACCEPT THAT THE COUNTRYSIDE IS BEST LEFT TO THEM THAT UNDERSTAND IT and who have tilled their acres for millenia. Otherwise read, mark and learn and respect the farmers of GB who are providing a great deal of what you eat. MORE RESPECT, PLEASE!

It won't be until around this time next year (or a bit earlier, as they had to leave it so late this time for various reasons!). Vaccination does seem to most obvious solution, and I don't know why it's taking so long. The vaccination of badgers, which is what they're doing in Wales, is a bit hit and miss.

Agree whitewave just got to keep signing and also keep an eye out for the next proposed cull so that it doesn't get lost in amongst other issues. If that makes sense. Er perhaps I mean that we don't get to hear about it until it's too late.

Such good news and it gives everyone a chance to look at the way forward with calm consideration.
I would like to see pressure to restart and complete the vacination research, as from everything I have read I think it is the only answer.

Perhaps another e-petition is in order. Dr. May over to you!!

If anyone sees one can you give me a nudge?

On this morning's news they said that the trial cull could start as soon as tomorrow night.

Phew! I have just seen one badger. I hope she is not the one who got away!

Oh yes, nature red in tooth and claw - it can still be a bit shocking in your own backyard though.

No more terrible than lions, eagles, crocodiles, spiders, mosquitos, domestic cats.... you get the idea no doubt.

Yes ana I have heard the screams from a hedgehog being uncurled. Fortunately I rescued it just in time.

Nothing to do with the cull, but we have one (or two) badgers that come in our garden in the night - I saw one once stealing the sultanas left out for the birds - and they are lovely creatures, but it's terrible what they do to hedgehogs! We found the shell of one today, nothing but its outer skin and spines left.

www.tbfreeengland.co.uk worth a look.

No granjura but there was speculation in the newspapers this week and an assessment that each badger-kill would cost £1,000. I have no idea how they arrived at this sum but clearly it's completely uneconomical. It's something to do with hugely underestimating badger numbers in the trial areas. Sounds like a typical government initiative to me.

Does anyone know FOR SURE whether the cull has started or not?

Are you in one of the cull areas Shysal? I am afraid lampers and some farmers + terriermen, etc, may well be using this situation to take matters in their own hands in other areas too. Certainly there has been an increase in badger digging, in many areas.

Badgers have been feeding every night in my garden for years, but have failed to appear for the last two nights. I am worried that they have been killed, but have heard no shots. the farmland to the rear has beef cattle, but I understand there is no history of TB in the herd.
I hope I shall see and hear the badgers again soon!

If you read the link I posted, you will see that lamps may be used to ensure that there are no people in the area who could be injured or killed - partly because some of the setts are so close to housing, and mainly because of the planned protests by many in the cull area.

Whether or not you, I, we, agree or not about the right of people to try and protest and do everything they can to stop the cull - it is a reality that many intend to do so. Which makes shooting with night vision solely on the badger/s so dangerous.

I am surrounded by badger setts but in 30 years have only heard and not seen them( OH has) If they ever try that on the setts surrounding my house I will lie naked across the grassy bank