PUBLIC opinion polls routinely show decisive opposition to the badger cull.
In October, 2012, MPs voted to abandon the cull by 147 to just 28 votes.
Eminent scientists, such as Professor John Bourne and Lord John Krebs, have spoken out strongly against the cull while wildlife experts, Sir David Attenborough and Chris Packham, also oppose it. The government defines bovine TB as “an infectious disease of cattle”. Better on-farm welfare, tighter biosecurity from this disease — and to prevent them passing it back to cows — vaccination can be usefully employed, as is the case in Wales.
Ignoring the views of the public, scientists and wildlife experts will only damage the government. Badgers have friends . . . and those friends have votes.
Alison Yates
Union Street
Bolton