Shooters armed with powerful rifles are out in the West Somerset countryside again, with the resumption of a badger cull that Labour says could cause more – not less – TB in cattle. As protestors begin renewed action against the killing, the Labour Party has made clear its continuing opposition.
Protestors who gathered in Williton tonight before going out on patrol said they were “more emotional and more angry” than they were last year, because this year’s cull is going ahead despite the verdict of experts that the trial last year was a failure.
They also said the government has made things easier for itself, with a reduced target for the number of badgers that need to be killed. But they believe policing of their protest will be more sensitive. Sara Palmer of Somerset Badger Patrol said they had been told representatives from the National Farmers Union would not be in the police control room this time round.
Re-Run of a Failed Experiment
Andy Lewis from West Somerset Labour Party went to meet the protesters. He said:
“The second year of the cull is an exercise in political face-saving, by Tory ministers who dare not admit that their policy has been proved to be wrong.
“People in West Somerset resent the fact that our area is being used for a re-run of a failed experiment. Last year’s cull did not succeed on its own terms. The number of badgers killed was below the target and shooting caused disruption to setts, risking the dispersal of badgers carrying TB. We face a difficult six weeks in West Somerset.”
Labour’s policy is clear and consistent. The shadow environment secretary, Maria Eagle, said:
“To get bovine TB under control we need to bring in stricter cattle control measures and prioritise badger and cattle vaccinations. The Tories have failed to explain why they’re pressing ahead with culls which have been shown to be ineffective, inhumane and risk making the problem worse.
“The badger culls have already been described as an ‘epic failure’ by the Chief Scientific Advisor to Natural England. To add insult to injury these culls are proceeding without any independent scientific oversight.”
This is the influence of the huntin’, shootin’ & fishin’ brigade in that it shows their utter contempt for any other creature on the planet but humanity itself. This head in the sand attitude is largely responsible for the decline in the bee population and if it continues, the balance of nature will be irreparably damaged and the consequences of that could could be terminal for all of us. While Labour is against the badger cull, the party could also think about strengthening the hunting act by making it much more clear cut. All it would need is to ban hunting with hounds completely. I have nothing against horseman (and women) riding gaily across the countryside but NOT in pursuit of wildlife. Those who enjoy inflicting suffering on wildlife in any form are clearly sick and in need of psychiatric help !