British animal rights activists and welfare organizations are outraged over calls made last month by Agriculture Minister Jim Paice's statements that could give farmers licenses to exterminate badgers in what groups have called “misguided” attempts to curtail bovine tuberculosis. According to statements from a number of local and international animal welfare groups, the move is likely to encourage farmers in high risk TB areas to apply for licenses to shoot badgers on their land. Care for the Wild International has said scientists have expressed their concern over the tactic, quoting Rosie Woodroffe from the Institute of Zoology in London, who has worked on the Randomized Badger Culling Trial (RBCT) – the largest study ever on the effect of badger culling – who said “it is scientifically among the worst options they could have chosen.” The RBCT, which took place over a 10 year period up to 2007, concluded that “…badger culling can make no meaningful contribution to cattle TB control in Britain”. The report identified weaknesses in cattle TB testing, and the movement of cattle as being the major factors in the spread of TB. “Licensing farmers to kill badgers, which is clearly aimed at reducing government costs, will only result in a haphazard, uncoordinated program as some farmers kill badgers while neighboring farmers don't,” began a statement from Care for the Wild International. “This could result in a worsening of the TB situation in cattle,” the international organization added. Russel Thomas, a Manchester-based activist and blogger, told Bikya Masr that he believes Paice is attempting to empower farmers to take the law and action into their own hands, without focusing on the cruel methods that they are likely to employ. “We have seen how British people react when the government gives them the chance to kill animals and it is disgusting. Now we have to watch as farmers go around shooting more animals. When will it stop?” he asked. Paice, however, attempted to dispel any worries animal advocates may have on the DEFRA website, arguing that there will be a strict criteria implemented to ensure any culling is carried out “effectively, humanely and with a high regard for animal welfare.” Care for the Wild said there is a “real concern that some farmers may use the method that is cheapest, rather than most humane, leading to real animal welfare issues.” Thomas agreed, but went a step further in his criticism, arguing that “any animal that is being killed, period, is being denied its right to survival.” Care for the Wild has called on the government to change its stance and policy on the badgers, and is making a public plea to advocates and citizens to voice their concerns. “It's high time the government stopped trying to make badgers pay for the years of mismanagement of the bovine TB problem, and took notice of the results of their own studies, paid for using tens of millions of pounds worth of public money. Badger culling must be firmly consigned to history where it belongs,” the organization said. BM
