Majority of This Is South Wales readers support badger cull
A LARGE majority of This Is South Wales readers support the proposed cull of badgers in West Wales.
A staggering 68 per cent said the cull was necessary to control badger numbers, and only 29 per cent said it was unnecessary. Three per cent of readers said that numbers needed to come down, but a more humane way must be found.
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An Assembly call to prevent a controversial cull of badgers in North Pembrokeshire and parts of Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion failed last week.
In an Assembly debate AMs Peter Black, Lorraine Barrett, Irene James and Jenny Randerson had tabled a motion to annul the Badger Control Order laid by Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones. It was eventually rejected by 42 votes to eight.
The order will enable Assembly Government officials to cull badgers in what is known as the Intensive Action Area (IAA), in an attempt to reduce incidences of bovine TB in cattle. It came into effect the day after the vote.
Mr Black said: "There has been a 44.58 per cent reduction in bovine TB over the past two years without a single badger having been culled."
Speaking after the debate, Elin Jones welcomed the support from AMs which will allow the Assembly Government to proceed with the implementation of the Badger (Control Area) (Wales) Order 2011. The order authorises the destruction of badgers within the IAA.
She said: "After full and open consideration of the wide evidence base presented to me, including detailed consideration of the responses to the consultation, I decided to make the order.
"This authorises the destruction of badgers within the IAA, which includes parts of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion where bovine TB is endemic and is having a considerable effect on the farming industry and Government.
"I am pleased that this decision has received the backing of AMs."
Whitland-based Mike Sharratt, of the badger group Badger Watch and Rescue Dyfed, described it as extraordinary and branded it a disaster.
"The disaster is that she appears to be ignoring what the top scientists, Independent Scientific Group said that badger culling cannot meaningfully contribute to the control of cattle TB in Britain.
"Scientists also made it very clear that the culling of badgers instead of vaccination could make bTB in cattle worse.
3 Comments
by geraldine, swansea
Wednesday, April 06 2011, 8:20PM
“I agree that is 68% is a bit far fetched,where do they get the figures!
although im for this cull due to me knowing farming people personally and seeing their healthy cattle being destroyed due to this awful disease T.B and also the money DEFRA is pumping into compensation through the over burdened taxpayer
i know most of us see the badger as a lovely furry creature,but something must be done”
by Maureen Hughes, swansea
Wednesday, April 06 2011, 7:18PM
“as per the previous comment, just where did the figure of 68% originate.
when was the vote taken by This Is South wales? and how many of the 68% would volunteer to help destroy the badgers just for the fun of it”
by jane, carmarthen
Wednesday, April 06 2011, 6:01PM
“I don't know anyone personally that supports the badger cull. I wonder who this 68% of people are and if they have thought of the consequences or have any understanding of the science and likely outcome.”