This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/sep/04/scientists-warn-against-cruel-and-pointless-badger-culls
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Badger cull gets under way in Dorset, Gloucestershire and Somerset | |
| (21 days later) | |
| The controversial badger cull in England is underway for the first time in Dorset and has restarted for the third year in Gloucestershire and Somerset, the government has confirmed. | The controversial badger cull in England is underway for the first time in Dorset and has restarted for the third year in Gloucestershire and Somerset, the government has confirmed. |
| The cull, intended to curb tuberculosis in cattle, aims to kill 1,000-2,000 badgers over six weeks. Over 32,000 TB-infected cattle were slaughtered in 2014 and farmers welcomed the cull. | The cull, intended to curb tuberculosis in cattle, aims to kill 1,000-2,000 badgers over six weeks. Over 32,000 TB-infected cattle were slaughtered in 2014 and farmers welcomed the cull. |
| But previous badger culls have failed to meet targets, raising the risk that culling could actually increase TB infections in cattle as setts are disrupted and badgers roam more widely. | But previous badger culls have failed to meet targets, raising the risk that culling could actually increase TB infections in cattle as setts are disrupted and badgers roam more widely. |
| Related: Experts call for immediate halt to £7,000-per-badger cull | Related: Experts call for immediate halt to £7,000-per-badger cull |
| On Wednesday, senior scientists, including one appointed by the government to independently assess the cull, called for an end to the policy. The independent panel, now disbanded, found earlier culls were neither effective nor humane. | On Wednesday, senior scientists, including one appointed by the government to independently assess the cull, called for an end to the policy. The independent panel, now disbanded, found earlier culls were neither effective nor humane. |
| Claire Bass, of the Humane Society International/UK said the re-start of the cull was devastating news: “For a third year running these supposedly protected animals will be subjected to a cruel and pointless death, scapegoats of the government’s failed cattle TB policy. We will continue to campaign to end this inhumane and unscientific massacre.” | Claire Bass, of the Humane Society International/UK said the re-start of the cull was devastating news: “For a third year running these supposedly protected animals will be subjected to a cruel and pointless death, scapegoats of the government’s failed cattle TB policy. We will continue to campaign to end this inhumane and unscientific massacre.” |
| Anti-cull campaigners in Gloucestershire have reported night-time shooting and the discovery of a badger with a gunshot injury, which died soon being found. | Anti-cull campaigners in Gloucestershire have reported night-time shooting and the discovery of a badger with a gunshot injury, which died soon being found. |
| Meurig Raymond, president of the National Farmers Union, said: “Bovine TB remains a huge problem for beef and dairy farmers. Badger culling is an essential part of the government’s 25-year strategy in areas where bovine TB is rife. While we are pleased that culling has been extended beyond Somerset and Gloucestershire we are very disappointed that more areas will not benefit from it this year.” | Meurig Raymond, president of the National Farmers Union, said: “Bovine TB remains a huge problem for beef and dairy farmers. Badger culling is an essential part of the government’s 25-year strategy in areas where bovine TB is rife. While we are pleased that culling has been extended beyond Somerset and Gloucestershire we are very disappointed that more areas will not benefit from it this year.” |
| In August, farming minister George Eustice announced new proposals to help control TB in cattle, including compulsory testing for all cattle entering low-risk areas, loosening restrictions on badger culling and potentially controlling TB in non-bovine animals such as pigs, goats, and deer. | In August, farming minister George Eustice announced new proposals to help control TB in cattle, including compulsory testing for all cattle entering low-risk areas, loosening restrictions on badger culling and potentially controlling TB in non-bovine animals such as pigs, goats, and deer. |
| Farmers have claimed that the badger cull is already reducing TB in cattle. But the government’s own assessment of the first year of culling, released on 28 August, shows no change was detected. | Farmers have claimed that the badger cull is already reducing TB in cattle. But the government’s own assessment of the first year of culling, released on 28 August, shows no change was detected. |
| The report (annex 1) states: “There is no statistically significant association between [badger culling] and cattle TB incidence in the first year of follow-up.” It notes at least three years are needed for any changes to show up in the data, but warns that the failure to hit the badger kill targets could see TB rise not fall. | The report (annex 1) states: “There is no statistically significant association between [badger culling] and cattle TB incidence in the first year of follow-up.” It notes at least three years are needed for any changes to show up in the data, but warns that the failure to hit the badger kill targets could see TB rise not fall. |
| The cull is estimated to have cost nearly £7,000 per badger culled. Scientists have long dismissed the cull as an expensive distraction, arguing the cutting cattle to cattle transmission and vaccinating badgers could be more successful. | The cull is estimated to have cost nearly £7,000 per badger culled. Scientists have long dismissed the cull as an expensive distraction, arguing the cutting cattle to cattle transmission and vaccinating badgers could be more successful. |