RSPCA disappointment that first license is granted for badger cull

Tuesday, 18 September 2012 10:22 AM

The RSPCA is devastated that the first license has been granted for the badger cull and believes this policy is incredibly short sighted.

Chief Executive Gavin Grant said: “We are bitterly disappointed that the UK Government in England is ploughing on with plans to kill badgers but the fight is not over yet.

“Only last week we joined Brian May, a coalition of charities and  crowds of protestors at a public rally to put a stop to this cull as the start date draws near.

“This ongoing Stop the Cull campaign is rapidly gaining momentum and public support and it is time the Government listened.

“It needs to look at the science and change their policy to one of vaccination – let’s cure and not kill.”

Notes to editors

·         Scientific studies have shown that culling would be of little help in reducing the bovine TB in cattle and even suggest that it could make things worse in some areas.

·         The Stop the Cull campaign is pushing for the government to rethink their policy and implement a vaccination programme, along with, increased levels of testing, improved farm biosecurity and stricter controls on the movement of cattle rather than culling 70% of the badger population, the vast majority of which are disease free. The Welsh government, using the same scientific evidence as Defra, has begun a five year vaccination programme of badgers in Wales.

·         The rally was held at College Green, Bristol and follows the success of public meetings held in Tewkesbury and Taunton.

·         It was organised in partnership with a coalition of organisations including Save Me (run by rock guitarist Brian May), the League Against Cruel Sports and Humane Society International (UK).


RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288  Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk  Website: www.rspca.org.uk


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