Badger cull statement from the RSPCA

Originally from: Farmtalking
                        
RSPCA Statement from the press office

25 February 2005
Statement on proposed badger cull

The RSPCA strongly opposes any suggestion that badger culling should take place, as suggested by the open letter signed by 300 vets reported today.

The Independent Scientific Group on cattle TB recently published their fourth report (10 February). In that they stated "* strident calls for action to be taken against badgers in the face of rising herd incidence levels, while understandable, have little merit when there is no clear science base on which to develop that action and therefore no means of predicting its effect."

The British government's trial – now in its final year – once concluded, will publish its findings as planned.

It could clearly be frustrating to farmers that there is no immediate answer to their problem, but over 20 years of government badger culling strategies have not provided a solution. The current wide-ranging programme of research is endeavouring to find a better, scientifically-based, way forward.

"The RSPCA considers that culling badgers might make matters worse" said Colin Booty, senior scientific officer for the Society. "This is because it disrupts badger social groups, their territorial structure and behaviour, and may result in more movement of remaining or surrounding animals. Therefore if it is proved that badgers are involved in spreading bovine TB, such disturbance may exacerbate the problem".

The Society is therefore urging that no widespread culling of badgers be carried out. It is essential that until the results of the full scientific review are known, before any possible decisions on culling are taken, the government must simply stick to its position and make no decision until the trials have been properly concluded.