Despite opposition, the Welsh government has given the green-light for a limited badger cull in an effort to combat bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Wales. The slaughter is expected to kill “around 1000” protected badgers.
In an effort to reduce the badger population “as far as we can,” the animals will be trapped and shot to death in a “bovine TB endemic area” where 42 percent of cattle owners in the area had at least one case of TB in their herd since 2003. According to reports, Affairs Minister Elin Jones said that bovine TB is “out of control” and compensating farmers costs the taxpayers.
The Welsh Assembly Government’s TB Eradication Programme will take place mainly over a 111 square-mile pilot area north of Pembrokeshire. The five culls will take place over a four-year period with the first one beginning at the end of breeding season, the end of May.
While the measure is supported by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Famers’ Union of Wales (FUW), the culling has been condemned by various animal welfare and conservation groups. The Badger Trust is taking legal action by challenging the decision. The group has applied for a judicial review but has been met with “considerable delays.” A director from the organization, Jack Reedy, said, “There is no justification for it because it would not be effective.” He said the cull is not legal. According to the Badger Trust, a TB vaccine for badgers will be trialled in May of this year.
Once known as “consumption”, tuberculosis is a highly infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium. In 1997, nearly 700 cattle were killed because of TB. In 2008, approximately 12,000 cattle were slaughtered because of the disease.
Along with a wide-scale evaluation and post-mortem examinations of the badgers, stricter cattle measures and vaccinations will also take place to combat the disease. The decision is in sharp contrast to England’s recent announcement to vaccinate badgers in six areas next year.
Photo by Kokay Szaboics
Tragic. Pointless. Stupid. Short-sighted. Cruel. Revolting…
And previously I thought the Welsh weren’t that bad.
Why is it necessary to kill a Badger to see if it has TB or not ? !! Am I being dim, or is it them ?
As per usual, wildlife has to suffer in favour of cattle and man’s selfish greed and ignorance. Sickening.
This is good news for badgers, especially in Wales. There is hope that all animals (including humans) will someday cooperate again.
Please sign the RSPCA petition against the cull and visit pembrokeshireagainstthecull.org.uk for more information and things that can be done to help prevent this from going ahead