Tell the UK Government's Agriculture Minister, that farmers are being licensed to exterminate badgers in a misguided attempt to control bovine tuberculosis.

Badger expert Dr Rosie Woodroffe from the Institute of Zoology in London, who worked on the Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT), the largest study ever undertaken on the effect of badger culling, was quoted in the Guardian as saying: "I think it is scientifically among the worst options they could have chosen."The RBCT, which took place over a 10 year period up to 2007, concluded, badger culling can make no meaningful contribution to cattle TB control in Britain. "

In addition, licensing farmers to kill badgers, which is clearly aimed at reducing government costs, will only result in a haphazard, uncoordinated programme as some farmers kill badgers while neighbouring farmers don't. This could result in a worsening of the TB situation in cattle. Not only that, but while Jim Paice claims on the DEFRA website that strict criteria would be applied to ensure any culling is carried out "effectively, humanely, and with a high regard for animal welfare", there is real concern that some farmers may use the method that is cheapest, rather than most humane.

Tell the Minister of Agriculture you oppose Badger Culling.

The Rt. Hon. James Paice
Minister of Agriculture and Food
House of Commons
Westminster
London SW1A 0AA
 
The Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
DEFRA
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3Jr
email: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk