Badger consultation results distorted

The NFU has responded to today’s publication of Defra’s bovine TB and badger culling consultation saying the results do not reflect public opinion.

NFU Deputy President Meurig Raymond said: “This is a distorted result, which is a reflection of the high profile and highly emotive campaign - involving full page advertisements in the national press. This campaign was mounted by single issue and single minded groups with little interest in disease eradication and by no means reflects public opinion.

“The culling of diseased badgers was never going to be popular. But it is a necessary measure if we are ever to bring bovine tuberculosis under control.

“The outcome of the ‘citizens panels’- organised by Defra and representing a cross section of society - confirms most people are prepared to accept this is the only way the problem can be solved, when the situation is explained to them in detail.

“To continue killing tens of thousands of cattle every year, while doing nothing about the source of the disease in the badger population is pointless, counter-productive and deeply damaging to animal welfare in the widest sense.

“We look to the Government to take the only responsible decision open to it, which is to announce a cull targeted at diseased badger populations, at the earliest opportunity. What the experience of the last 30 years has demonstrated beyond all possible doubt is the longer action is delayed, the worse the situation becomes.”