Sussex Wildlife Trust response to the proposed badger cull, 2007

Dear Sirs

Re. Defra Consultation on controlling the spread of bovine tuberculosis in cattle in high incidence areas in England: badger culling

I am strongly opposed to the adoption of a policy to cull badgers as part of the approach to control bovine TB.

It is important to have a viable livestock sector from a wildlife perspective as grazing by cattle is an important element in maintaining a countryside rich in wildlife. However, I am concerned that the current proposals will worsen the incidence of the disease. The current scientific evidence does not justify a badger cull. If anything, it shows that a cull could make the situation worse. Removing badgers can result in greater movement of badgers, so facilitating the spread of the disease to cattle. Furthermore the cull options proposed by DEFRA are impractical and ineffective. The scale over which a cull would be needed would represent local eradication. This would require the co-operation of all landowners (unlikely) and removal of all badgers present (very difficult if not impossible to achieve). It is also unsustainable in the long term.

I would be grateful if you could write to the Prime Minister and Minister, Ben Bradshaw, on my behalf to express my utmost dissatisfaction at the possibility of badgers being culled to control bovine TB. This is because the scientific evidence shows not only would this be ineffective, but also that it could lead to an increase in the spread of the disease.

Yours faithfully,

Dr A Whitbread
Acting Chief Executive