A fair and full reply from my local MP re-badger cull: Dear Ms McEwan, Thank you for contacting me recently concerning the Governments decision to licence badger cull pilots in Somerset and Gloucestershire. Bovine TB is the biggest animal disease this country faces and controlling it is imperative to protecting famers livelihood. Indeed, 28,000 cattle were slaughtered in England in 2012 because of bovine TB and it is estimated that the cost of bovine TB to the taxpayer will reach £1 billion over the next decade. Whilst I appreciate that opinion is divided on the best way to tackle this problem, I oppose badger culling as I do not believe it is the most effective, appropriate or humane method of controlling bovine TB. I also fear it will be bad for farmers, bad for taxpayers and bad for wildlife. Crucially, as a previous 10-year scientific trial showed, culling will not work to achieve a lasting reduction in bovine TB and it actually risks making things worse, particularly for farmers in neighbouring areas. That is why I have repeatedly urged the Government to not go ahead with these culls and why I believe this policy should be abandoned in favour of a science-led approach that includes vaccination as part of a more coherent, effective response. Unfortunately the Government have ignored the widespread concern that has been expressed about culling from scientists, animal welfare campaigners and from inside Parliament and have proceeded with two pilot culls in Somerset and Gloucestershire. The results of these pilot culls have now shown that the Governments approach is clearly not working. Both pilots failed to meet the target of eradicating 70% of the local badger population - indeed, only 30% of badgers in the Gloucestershire pilot area were eradicated - and the Governments estimates of the number of badgers in both areas have been shown to be hopelessly inaccurate. As you may be aware, both pilots have now been extended beyond their initial six week period, with the Somerset pilot running to 1st November and the Gloucestershire pilot until 18th December. I oppose this decision and I believe that the Government should now accept that these trails have failed to demonstrate the effectiveness of culling and move on. Eradicating bovine TB is vital for farmers, the rural economy, taxpayers and wildlife. That is why the Government now need to abandon their plans for badger culling and adopt a science-led, evidence-based approach to controlling this terrible disease. As a frontbench spokesperson I am unable to sign EDMs however, I have written, once again, to the Government regarding this issue. I can assure you that the UK Government will continue to be pressured on this issue and to listen to the widespread concerns that have been raised about their policy for controlling bovine TB. Thank you once again for writing to me and for sharing your views. Best Wishes, Gordon Banks MP Gordon Banks MP Ochil and South Perthshire ________________________________ UK Parliament Disclaimer: This e-mail is confidential to the intended recipient. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and delete it from your system. Any unauthorised use, disclosure, or copying is not permitted. This e-mail has been checked for viruses, but no liability is accepted for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this e-mail.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Nov 2013 14:32:44 +0000
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