Initially, I thought the whole idea of the cull was horrific. And, if the level of protest is anything to go by, a lot of people feel the same.
Most farmers, however, believe that the cull is necessary.
This is because of ramptant TB (tuberculosis) among cattle, a chief cause of which is badgers (or so it is claimed). In order to manage this crisis, farmers say there needs to be a drastic and immediate cull of badgers.
So what's your view? As far as I can see, the argument can be divided as follows:
Reasons for the cull:
- cattle have as much right to live as badgers
- once the epidemic has been brought uner control, the badger population can be allowed to flourish again
- the death of cattle has a knock on effect - it can infect the entire herd, which can be financially devastating to farmers
- those badgers that remain after the cull would be healthier, and the level of TB among both badgers and cattle would be reduced
- It may ruin the reputation of north Pembrokeshire (where the cull is due to take place) for being a haven for wildlife
- There may be other options such as vaccinating badgers
- The depth of feeling may divide the community and create an ongoing conflict
- Some (including the RSPCA) claim that the threat from badgers is minimal, and they are being used as a scapegoat
I think the problem with this is that badgers have a sort of 'cuddly' image, which make it hard to be objective. But at the same time, a decision to start deliberately culling a species should never be taken lightly.
Me - I'm uncertain about this. I would have to do a lot more research before I could make a decision. But I'd be interested to know what anyone else thinks.
For my part, I would have to leave this to the experts, the final decision being made by Government which should give greatest weight to objective scientists, rather than those with vested interests.
ReplyDeleteI agree - but unfortunately (as we all know) the government is not infallible and neither, often, are scientists. I just hope they do make the right choice and are not influenced by whoever has the loudest voice...
ReplyDeletepersonally i think the badgers shoutld be left as they are, if humans can not manage to survive with all the rest of the land to rear their cattle then we shouldn't be able to call ourselves the top species. if we are so more intellectual than other creatures why is it that we need to cull a species in order to maximise our food and livilhood profits, surely we are able to create these oppurtunites elesewhere.
ReplyDeletevery out there in thinking but i know a lot of people are against cloning and genetic engineering, and stem cell research but would it not be beneficial to be able to create food supplies using these technologies, rather than trialing these procedures on making a different or more improved species of ourselves. should we rather not use it for something productive whilst then saving other species?
I completely agree with using technology to create new food supplies - I don't understand why people have such a problem with it. I think it will be more common in the future, but unfortunately a lot of people (like you said) are very against this sort of thing and tend to impede progress (they are entitled to their opinion, of course.) I also agree that, as the supposed 'top' species, we should be able to survive without deliberately wiping out a number of other creatures.
ReplyDeleteI guess though, if we look at this specific case (rather than the wider reaching implications of GM crops etc) then badger culling may, unfortunately, have to be considered if many cattle are to survive.
It is a very emotive topic and I'm glad you've commented on it - I've spoken to a few people and they tend to think the same as you, ie that the badgers should be left alone, so it's starting to sway me!
if looking at this smal case this population of badgers are only going to wipe out a few herds of cattle in comparison to the foot and mouth that occured a few years ago. food production and jobs although did suffer in the short term there were no major problems with food shortages just increased prices. unfortunatley some farmers will find it financially difficult but that should not be a reason alone to cull a species.
ReplyDeleteYeah, financial difficulties (although painful, I have no doubt) should not be a reason alone to deliberately kill. I suppose the problem is that a lot of people place human comfort above the lives of animals, and would happily see animals die for even a slight increase in human prosperity (as long as they don't have to do it, of course!)
ReplyDeleteWell I have very little faith in the human race. Assuming an alternative food source was found I think that would be the end of cattle. With no financial motivation they won’t be left to run free, their bells chiming in the wind.
ReplyDeleteBut back to the badgers. It is my opinion that the only real way to solve the problem is to target the disease. I know this isn’t currently an option, but vaccine development should be the goal. Even with a reduced badger population (if the disease is truly prevalent) the disease will return when the culling is stopped. Would this give enough time to develop other strategies? I don’t know.
i agree a vaccine should be the way forward, this would then not effect the badgers nor the farmers and their cattle.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more with the vaccination thing, it is definitely the best of all worlds. However (and I'm very ignorant about this) how would it be administered?
ReplyDeleteI would imagine that would depend largely on the type of vaccine. There would have to be one for the cattle (possibly causing problems with legislation on what you can give cattle), which could easily (ish) be distributed, and then if you want to help the badgers one for them as well. That would be a little more difficult, but I would rather trap a badger to help it in the long run than kill it. Then again I could be oversimplifying. It would be a huge project.
ReplyDeleteThere is a vaccine for badgers, being trialled in the UK now. Please see my blog blog.lancashirebadgergroup.org.uk and also this blog article for access to all the information you need! http://brockwatcher.wordpress.com/2010/07/20/brock-wars-the-farmers-strike-back/
ReplyDeleteMore cows are culled as they have mastitis or can't get pregnant than tb. Tb is now on the decrease, not increasing. Culling would be a bigger project than vaccinating, due to the cost of disposal and movement from one trap to another (to be culled). Culling is not scientific, it is political. Professor John Bourne states in the Veterinary Record May 3, 2008: 1. ‘I think the most interesting observation was made to me by a senior politician who said, “fine John we accept your science, but we have to offer the farmers a carrot. And the only carrot we can possibly give them is culling badgers”.’ 1. AVTRW looks at the science of TB Vet Rec. 2008 162: 571-572.
Good post, good to see it being talked about, there is a lack of awareness in the general public, and that needs to change so that the public are not sold a dummy.
Hi Joanna, thanks for commenting - your comments are similar to those made by other people I've spoken to and I have definitely been swayed since writing this post. Culling is definitely not the way forwards - farmers appear to be making a skapegoat out of badgers with no real science to back them up. Vaccinations appear to be the most sensible and moral way of dealing with the problem.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely have a read of your blog and the article you mentioned as I am very keen to find out more on this subject (my post was barely scraping the surface - the comments left by others have been much more informative :-).