RSPCA Joins Debate On Badger Cull

UK - The RSPCA is concerned that the latest report by the UK government's chief scientist, Sir David King, seems less about science, and more about caving in to the pressure to do something.

24 October 2007

2 minute read

Europe

Sir David King has advised that badgers should be killed to prevent the spread of tuberculosis (TB) among cattle in a report given to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

The Independent Scientific Group (ISG) carried out a previous study - published in June - that assessed the results of a nine-year experiment to see whether killing badgers would prevent the spread of TB. They found that a culling policy would have no direct impact on controlling the disease in cattle, and could make it worse.

Sir David King believes that culling could be effective in areas that are contained. But the ISG's study showed that although TB infection dropped in the immediate area of a cull, it actually increased on adjoining farms - concluding that a cull is not a long-term solution unless we are prepared to continually exterminate badgers from large parts of the country.

Not popular

While a cull is not popular with the public - a government consultation of 47,472 people found that 95 percent of people were opposed to it - farmers are concerned about the numbers of TB-infected stock killed every year. The National Farmers Union (NFU) believes that a cull is necessary to combat the problem.

Conversely, the ISG's report highlights that the methods most likely to combat the spread of TB in cattle are an increase in the level of cattle testing; improved biosecurity; and, stricter controls on the movement of cattle.

'Senseless slaughter'

RSPCA head of wildlife science, Rob Atkinson, said: "A cull would mean a senseless slaughter, enormous suffering and would be scientifically bankrupt.

"This latest report seems less about science, and more about caving in to the pressure to do something - even if that something is the worst possible option.

"Killing badgers is never going to be the simple solution to the complex problem of bovine TB."