Badger cull to go ahead!?

[Kayleigh]

People power stopped the forest sell off so we can do it again if we all stand together and fight against this ridiculous decision against our wildlife.

[Digit]

Ridiculous?

Roy.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Digit

Ridiculous?

Roy.

I think it is ridiculous and needless to cull badgers but this my opinion..

[Digit]

But in disagreement with Lord Kreb's panel which found in support of culling.

Roy.

[meinchewster]

Originally Posted by yorkieuk

I'd like to think the majority of people can be trusted.

Im afraid with an issue of this magnitude, 'the majority' isnt good enough. It has to be everyone and that wont happen.

As an aside to the main issue of undertaking a cull against water tight scientific evidence, the simpletons within our population who are attracted to 'field sports' such as badger baiting, digging setts etc will read this as an open invite to commence full operations.

It is sending out the completely wrong message on our 'developed' culture and conservation of wildlife in britain. One that we are supposed to be internationally renowned for.

When economy wins out over ecology - in this case a projected 1 bn over ten years, what signal does that send to countries with poor economies? brazil can level the rainforest because the economy needs it to - is that acceptible?

The perverse situation is Badgers are a protected species, yet when economy dictates (or rather farmers votes are up for grabs), protected status counts for nothing.

Conservation fights for credibility and acceptance at all times yet all the hard work done can be destroyed by a quick fix scheme to appease voters.

I will let you make up your own minds on the issue, read whatever literature you can (the new naturalist book Badger recently published is an excellent text), but if you are against a badger cull, lobby your local mp and tell them.

[Digit]

Sorry but I take issue with that. Many local voters have voted in AM voting according to whether they support or do not support and not all farmers are in support locally. Also to imply that those of us who support a cull are in favour of such 'field sports' as badger digging is to me offensive. I would also point out the best scientific opinion etc as used by you would appear to ignore Krebs.

Roy.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Digit

Sorry but I take issue with that. Many local voters have voted in AM voting according to whether they support or do not support and not all farmers are in support locally. Also to imply that those of us who support a cull are in favour of such 'field sports' as badger digging is to me offensive. I would also point out the best scientific opinion etc as used by you would appear to ignore Krebs.

Roy.

Are you a dairy farmer..
Just to make me understand your views on this why join a wildlife site then support this..
I am not looking for an argument I mean no offense but I cant see how irradiating our badgers can eliminate TB..
Why can the vaccine not work instead why cant there be another way killing is not the answer..
The farmers get subsided so they should be happy and leave the badgers alone.

[meinchewster]

Originally Posted by Digit

Sorry but I take issue with that. Many local voters have voted in AM voting according to whether they support or do not support and not all farmers are in support locally. Also to imply that those of us who support a cull are in favour of such 'field sports' as badger digging is to me offensive. I would also point out the best scientific opinion etc as used by you would appear to ignore Krebs.

Roy.

Roy,

Maybe some of the points youve picked upon have read the wrong way.

I am aware not all farmers are for a cull but I think its niave to dismiss the motivation for a cull in the south west of england with respect to the farmers vote.

I wasnt implying at all that those in favour of a cull would also favour illegal field sports, just that the signal a cull sends out to those who actively pursue such activities needs to be accounted for. Your average badger man will take it as 'well they are killing them anyway, we might as well get in on the act'.

The Krebs report seems to be the only 'document' you have read on the issue? you have mentioned it in every post on the thread.

Whilst it cannot be dismissed entirely, there is sufficient evidence to suggest a cull actually increases the transmission of BTb through the mechanisms of peturbation.

Whilst its not an easy subject to discuss without taking a stance one way or the other, the evidence indicates a cull could make the sitaution worse, cost more than a vaccination programme and most importantly of all, kill an unthinkable amount of Badgers without any need (if we take the 16% carrier figure into consideration).

I hope common sense prevails, and beofre any drastic measures are made, the whole gambit is explored and considered. There are much wider reaching implications to this issue than just cattle farming and Badgers.

[Digit]

No Kaleigh I am not a dairy farmer, are you suggesting that I make my decisions based on personal gain?
Why did I join what you describe as a conservation group? Good question. May I answer it with a question? Does conservation mean no control of any species, of plants, of insects, of bats or crustaceans etc?

Roy.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Digit

No Kaleigh I am not a dairy farmer, are you suggesting that I make my decisions based on personal gain?
Why did I join what you describe as a conservation group? Good question. May I answer it with a question? Does conservation mean no control of any species, of plants, of insects, of bats or crustaceans etc?

Roy.

You have miss interpreted what I meant..
WAB is not a conservation group its a wildlife website for people who love wildlife simple as it is but this how I feel and this the wrong way to go IMHO..

Like I said I want to understand why you feel the way the you do and are for a badger cull.
Is it just to support farmers and the dairy industry..tell me as I cant for the life of think why anyone would want to harm a lovely badger..