People in West Somerset have been contacting Labour candidates for the county elections about the badger cull – and have been told of Labour’s opposition to the killing.
The shooting of badgers is due to start in West Somerset in June, in an attempt to control bovine TB. Many local people are worried about the prospect of high-powered rifles being used in areas near villages and fear it could deter tourists from visiting.
an untested solution which may increase the problem
Labour’s policy is clear – and is based on evidence. Leading scientists have described culling as an untested solution to the problem, which may increase the problem as badgers wander further afield once shooting begins.
Labour’s shadow environment secretary, Mary Creagh, said: “bovine TB is a terrible disease but the Government’s plans to cull badgers are bad for farmers, bad for badgers and bad for the taxpayer. We need a science-led policy to manage cattle movements and develop a vaccine to tackle TB in badgers and cattle.”
Dunster Labour candidate Andy Lewis said: “feelings about the badger cull are running high in West Somerset. People have been contacting us to find out where we stand. Our position is clear. Shooting badgers is not the way to tackle bovine TB and the cull should not go ahead.”
Those of us who remember the poll tax riots of the 80s can remember what happens to arrogant governments who plough on with flawed policies in the face of over whelming public opposition ……
I find unbelievable that someone should compare the culling of Badgers to a massacre of people by Michael Ryan in Hungerford back in 1987.
I don’t happen to agree with the badger cull and am joining the march in London on 1st June but please lets keep things in perspective.
Much improved Bio-security on farms and the vaccination of badgers together with the long term objective of a cattle vaccine approved by the EU, if we are still in the EU by that time.
Time and time again we hear the same old tired and fails lines of both DEFRA and the NFU, but they have both got it so wrong big time. We know it, the EU know of it and the general public now know how wrong it is and bad for the holiday business.
Could the Somerset badger cull be Taunton’s very own bloody Hungerford?
We could see bullets whizzing over the sand castles and wind breakers as we try and enjoy a summer evening beach barbecue in West Somerset’s coast or out rambling on Exmoor.