The Tragedy of the Badger Cull

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It hurts me to put this picture up. And I’m sorry if it hurts you. But this is the awful reality of what the Badger Cull means.

Only yesterday, this beautiful creature was full of life and joy and raising a family – and was very likely perfectly healthy. Now it lays pitifully lifeless, slaughtered in a ruthless campaign of legalised persecution – essentially a witch hunt based on no evidence whatsoever. This is a needless British tragedy – unworthy of any civilisation in the 21st century. History will tell that it was all for nothing – as ineffective in fighting an evil disease as was burning witches at the stake 300 years ago. Science and common sense will soon nail the REAL way to eradicate TB in cattle. But, in the meantime, are you prepared to watch Theresa May’s Government and the National Farmers Union get away with this atrocity ?

Yes, I try very hard to stay dispassionate and treat every point of view with respect. But who could watch this cruelty without feeling angry and sad ? Especially when it’s obvious the farmers are still being sold a pig in a poke. This was the time to pause and determine a better way forward. It’s to this Government’s eternal shame that they ignored the accumulating evidence of the folly of badger culling and are ploughing ahead with no hope of success.

All credit to those decent ordinary folk who are standing up against the Cull. At times like this it’s hard to be proud to be British.

Shot caged badger

The killing has begun again, ramped up to kill thousands more badgers this year. I’m sure I’m not alone in finding these pictures very painful. It’s pitiful to see these magnificent families of creatures being destroyed.

I’ve been involved in the search for a solution to the problem of TB in cattle for 7 years now, and many of us believe we are on the brink of finding the real answer – an answer which lies in the herd and the testing – not in slaughtering wild animals. The case for killing wildlife as part of a strategy for cleaning up herds of cattle is incredibly weak, and a huge doubt hangs over this policy. Yet this Government blunders ahead as if they were blindfolded. It’s important to me to remain logical and I understand the points of view of all parties. Nevertheless I have to say today I’m heartbroken. This is a tragic waste of innocent lives, which will not help farmers or cattle; it’s also a criminal waste of taxpayers’ money. 

Shame on the destroyers of Britain’s native animals, just so some of us can continue to drink cows milk, and others can make money out of producing it. When you put it like that – is this cruelty really justifiable ? www.savemetrust.org

Bri

Shot caged badger

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