Badger petition reaches 100,000 signatures
Thanks to YOUR support, ending the cruel and ineffective badger cull should move up the parliamentary agenda.
(c) Richard Hurrell
Born Free’s support has helped a government e-petition calling for an immediate end to badger culling reach the threshold of 100,000 signatures that should prompt a parliamentary debate.
The petition, which was initiated by the campaign group Protect the Wild, urges the government to implement cattle-focused measures to control bovine TB.
Since licensed badger culling was introduced in 2013, around a quarter of a million badgers have been killed across huge swathes of the English countryside, resulting in massive disruption to badger social groups, and potentially leading to the disappearance of badgers from areas they have inhabited since the ice age. Many of these animals will have experienced terrible suffering.
Claims by government and the farming industry that the culls have resulted in a significant reduction in bovine TB in cattle have been challenged by independent research which found no evidence of an impact. In Wales, significant progress has been made in reducing bovine TB in cattle without culling badgers.
The incoming Labour administration described the culls as ‘ineffective’, although while they have committed to ending badger culling by the end of the current parliament, they have continued to honour existing licenses and there are fears that further licenses could be issued this year.
Born Free’s Head of Policy, veterinarian Dr Mark Jones, said: “Born Free has consistently opposed the culls, and it’s fantastic to see such strong support from the public for our beleaguered badgers. We urge the government to convene a parliamentary debate without delay, and to desist from issuing any further culling licenses. No more badgers should suffer and die for the sake of this ineffective, inhumane, unscientific and unnecessary policy.”
You can find further information on Born Free’s efforts to end badger culling using the link below