Angry Farmer

FUDGEY · #1 (**permalink**) 24-05-2009, 11:06 AM

As I was returning from feeding my badger sett today I was flagged down by a farmer. I put my window down to a chap with a welcoming smile on his face. "Are you the chap thats feeding the badgers" he asked. Yes I replied thinking he was interested. His expression changed rapidly and he said "McFadyen?" I said yes and its Mr McFadyen to you. He then burst into a verbal assault saying "Do you realise they spread disease to my cattle, destroy my fences, kill my lambs etc etc etc and that I am encouarging them by feeding them. I then got pretty riled myself and told him i was perfectly in my rights to do what I am doing and that it was nothing to do with him. I admit I have a very short fuse when confronted in this manner and all I can say is he was lucky he had a witness sitting in his landrover or I probably would have went too far. To put you in the picture the Badgers I watch are on MOD land neighbouring his farm so am I right to continue what I am doing? To me this man was a complete idiot and he better hope the next time if there is a next time he speaks to me like that he is not alone.

Jim Ford · #2 (**permalink**) 24-05-2009, 11:13 AM

Surprised that he didn't also accuse badgers of rapeing his daughters!

Glad to see you put the blast on him in return!

Jim

Bumblebeebob · #3 (**permalink**) 24-05-2009, 11:51 AM

Good for you, there are too many moronic tw*ts like this around. Badgers killing lambs?

salukiwhippet · #4 (**permalink**) 24-05-2009, 12:35 PM

Seems odd that on wildlife management threads, one of the main arguments employed by the antis is 'leave nature alone, it will find a balance'.
Yet there is no comment passed by the antis when people are artificially increasing the population of apex predators by feeding.

Badgers will take stock, especially sickly newborn lambs that could otherwise have been saved.

James

muldonach · #5 (**permalink**) 24-05-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

As I was returning from feeding my badger sett today I was flagged down by a farmer. ........ To put you in the picture the Badgers I watch are on MOD land neighbouring his farm so am I right to continue what I am doing?

I rather suspect that the matter is not so clear cut as you may imagine and may well depend on where you are in the UK and how you access the area where you feed these badgers.

In Scotland certainly you are entitled to walk, ride or cycle over farmland for recreational purposes. I am not sure however that feeding wild animals comes under the heading of recreation. My understanding of the position in England is that "free access" only applies on land defined as open on definitive maps (If I am wrong on this I will be happy to be corrected).

If you are not crossing his land then it is difficult to see how he could substantiate any complaint against you. Even if the badgers concerned are causing damage to his property there is nothing he can legally do except grin and bear it.

As you have found out not all people view badgers with the enthusiasm so often found on these forums (which is not in any way intended to defend his verbal assault on you), and some find that they make very poor neighbours indeed.

However your activities have obviously been noted and discussed in your immediate area, whilst you may very well be 100% in the right perhaps a degree of circumspection might be in the best interests of the badgers?

Regards
mac

Jason Green · #6 (**permalink**) 24-05-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salukiwhippet

Badgers will take stock, especially sickly newborn lambs that could otherwise have been saved.

Saved for what purpose? I take it it's for profit, or for our 'need' over badgers...

salukiwhippet · #7 (**permalink**) 24-05-2009, 12:58 PM

Obviously for profit, farming is a business. Contrary to what seems to be popular belief on here, the countryside is a workplace, not a theme park.

James

BloomingMarvellous · #8 (**permalink**) 24-05-2009, 01:20 PM

FUDGEY, I think the Farmer had a right to be angry If the Badgers are affecting his Land and his Stock. How would you feel if the Farmer started putting food to encourage Rats around your property, you'd be well upset I bet.

Sorry to say this FUDGEY, It's not your Badger Set.

larachmor · #9 (**permalink**) 24-05-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BloomingMarvellous

FUDGEY, I think the Farmer had a right to be angry If the Badgers are affecting his Land and his Stock. How would you feel if the Farmer started putting food to encourage Rats around your property, you'd be well upset I bet.

Sorry to say this FUDGEY, It's not your Badger Set.

He may well have a right to be angry if indeed the badgers WERE affecting his stock. This however has never been proven - far from it. There are those of course that will argue that the unfortunate badger has not been given the all-clear either. But one fact IS known - the incidence of bovine TB plummeted during the last foot and mouth outbreak when movements of cattle were restricted. Therein lies the primary cause of the high levels of bovine TB in this country - and poor old brock becomes the scapegoat.