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UK public opposed to badger cull, opinion poll suggests | UK public opposed to badger cull, opinion poll suggests |
(about 3 hours later) | |
By Richard Black Environment correspondent, BBC News | By Richard Black Environment correspondent, BBC News |
A majority of Britons in both town and country oppose killing badgers to curb cattle tuberculosis, an opinion poll for the BBC suggests. | A majority of Britons in both town and country oppose killing badgers to curb cattle tuberculosis, an opinion poll for the BBC suggests. |
Across the UK, about two-thirds oppose the measure, with majorities against culling in every age group, every region and across both genders. | |
The coalition has pledged to introduce culling in England, but recently admitted it may not happen. | The coalition has pledged to introduce culling in England, but recently admitted it may not happen. |
And separate plans in Wales are on hold following the recent election. | And separate plans in Wales are on hold following the recent election. |
Badgers can carry the bacterium that causes TB and transmit the disease to cattle herds. | Badgers can carry the bacterium that causes TB and transmit the disease to cattle herds. |
The poll, commissioned by the BBC News website from pollsters GfK NOP, is believed to be the first time that the UK public has been asked a simple "yes or no" on the issue. | The poll, commissioned by the BBC News website from pollsters GfK NOP, is believed to be the first time that the UK public has been asked a simple "yes or no" on the issue. |
Across the country, 63% of the thousand adults polled by phone said badgers should not be killed for cattle TB, with 31% in favour of culling and the remainder undecided. | |
The proportion opposed was virtually identical in urban and rural areas. | The proportion opposed was virtually identical in urban and rural areas. |
Jack Reedy of the Badger Trust, which is leading opposition to a cull, described the result as "heartening". | Jack Reedy of the Badger Trust, which is leading opposition to a cull, described the result as "heartening". |
But, he suggested, decisions should ultimately be made on the basis of science. | But, he suggested, decisions should ultimately be made on the basis of science. |
"This is an opinion expressed by a lot of people, so that's valuable," he told BBC News. | "This is an opinion expressed by a lot of people, so that's valuable," he told BBC News. |
"However, we have to attend to the science, and that should not be a political argument - although a political argument has been imposed. | "However, we have to attend to the science, and that should not be a political argument - although a political argument has been imposed. |
"If [politicians] do pay more attention, prompted by this poll result, I hope it will lead to a more balanced, sensible outcome that's fair on badgers, fair on farmers and fair on the general public as well." | "If [politicians] do pay more attention, prompted by this poll result, I hope it will lead to a more balanced, sensible outcome that's fair on badgers, fair on farmers and fair on the general public as well." |
But Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers Union (NFU), said bovine TB was "out of control" in some areas and had to be stopped. | But Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers Union (NFU), said bovine TB was "out of control" in some areas and had to be stopped. |
"In 1998 almost 6,000 cattle were slaughtered to control the disease, and in the UK in 2010, 32,737 animals were slaughtered," he said. | "In 1998 almost 6,000 cattle were slaughtered to control the disease, and in the UK in 2010, 32,737 animals were slaughtered," he said. |
"For farmers, the government's commitment to look at introducing a carefully managed and science-led policy of badger control, as part of a package of measures, in areas where there is high and persistent levels of bovine TB, is the only light at the end of a very dark tunnel." | "For farmers, the government's commitment to look at introducing a carefully managed and science-led policy of badger control, as part of a package of measures, in areas where there is high and persistent levels of bovine TB, is the only light at the end of a very dark tunnel." |
Government statistics show that the incidence of cattle TB declined slightly between 2009 and 2010, probably due to the escalation of TB testing on farms and restrictions on herd movements. | Government statistics show that the incidence of cattle TB declined slightly between 2009 and 2010, probably due to the escalation of TB testing on farms and restrictions on herd movements. |
However, provisional figures indicate that incidence was slightly higher in the first two months of this year than in the corresponding period for 2010. | However, provisional figures indicate that incidence was slightly higher in the first two months of this year than in the corresponding period for 2010. |
Town and country | Town and country |
The participants in the BBC/GfK NOP poll were asked whether they lived in a rural, urban or mixed setting. | The participants in the BBC/GfK NOP poll were asked whether they lived in a rural, urban or mixed setting. |
In urban areas, 57% said they opposed the cull, with 33% in favour and the remainder undecided; in rural areas, the majority was 59% to 37%. | In urban areas, 57% said they opposed the cull, with 33% in favour and the remainder undecided; in rural areas, the majority was 59% to 37%. |
Those living in a mixed urban/rural setting showed the strongest opposition, with 68% against killing badgers and just 26% in favour. | Those living in a mixed urban/rural setting showed the strongest opposition, with 68% against killing badgers and just 26% in favour. |
Bovine TB costs the UK economy about £100m per year, and has blighted farmers in areas such as southwest England. | Bovine TB costs the UK economy about £100m per year, and has blighted farmers in areas such as southwest England. |
But here, as in every other UK region, a majority of people in the BBC poll opposed culling. | But here, as in every other UK region, a majority of people in the BBC poll opposed culling. |
The European badger (Meles meles) is a protected species under European and UK law, but ministers can sanction killing in certain circumstances, including to tackle disease. | The European badger (Meles meles) is a protected species under European and UK law, but ministers can sanction killing in certain circumstances, including to tackle disease. |
Last year, Agriculture Minister Jim Paice announced government proposals that would allow farmers in England to organise shooting of badgers on their lands. | Last year, Agriculture Minister Jim Paice announced government proposals that would allow farmers in England to organise shooting of badgers on their lands. |
Applicants would have to satisfy a number of conditions, including: | Applicants would have to satisfy a number of conditions, including: |
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Licensees would be allowed to trap the animals in cages and shoot them, or just shoot them as they roam - so-called "free shooting". | Licensees would be allowed to trap the animals in cages and shoot them, or just shoot them as they roam - so-called "free shooting". |
The previous Welsh Assembly Government proposed a different system for South Pembrokeshire, with contractors employed by the government to trap and shoot the animals. | The previous Welsh Assembly Government proposed a different system for South Pembrokeshire, with contractors employed by the government to trap and shoot the animals. |
Following May's election, the Welsh government is reviewing these plans and is likely to announce a new policy soon. | Following May's election, the Welsh government is reviewing these plans and is likely to announce a new policy soon. |
Mr Paice, meanwhile, has recently said badger culling in England may not be possible because the government may not be able to build a scientific case that could survive a legal challenge. | Mr Paice, meanwhile, has recently said badger culling in England may not be possible because the government may not be able to build a scientific case that could survive a legal challenge. |
A particular concern is thought to be that the efficacy of free shooting has never been tested in a scientific study. | A particular concern is thought to be that the efficacy of free shooting has never been tested in a scientific study. |
A spokesman for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) told BBC News that the "devastating" disease of bovine TB needed tackling. | A spokesman for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) told BBC News that the "devastating" disease of bovine TB needed tackling. |
"However, there are a range of factors we need to consider in making a decision on badger control, including public opinion, scientific evidence, animal health and the impact on farming communities," he said. | "However, there are a range of factors we need to consider in making a decision on badger control, including public opinion, scientific evidence, animal health and the impact on farming communities," he said. |