Bill Oddie joins campaign against badger culls
Broadcaster Bill Oddie is heading to Westminster to support a campaign against badger culling in England.
The Springwatch presenter has given his support to the Humane Society International UK (HSI UK), which has submitted a formal complaint to the Bern Convention, which protects wild species, claiming the badger cull does not meet conditions under the treaty which would allow it to go ahead.
He will be joining the HSI UK in parliament on Tuesday (28 February), along with shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh, the League Against Cruel Sports, the Badger Trust and Care for the Wild International, to support the complaint to the Bern Convention.
Ahead of the meeting, Mr Oddie said the government’s decision to let the culls take place showed an “appallingly bloody-minded arrogance”.
“Opposition to the cull is not based on sentimentality, but on the fact that a great deal of thorough research suggests it won’t work,” he added.
“What is the point of research and consultation when the conclusions are ignored? It implies ‘we don’t care what you say, we will do what we want’.
“This is reprehensible enough in itself, but when it involves the deaths of large numbers of much-loved wild animals, it is doubly objectionable.”
His show of support comes as a new YouGov poll suggests limited support for culling.
The survey of more than 1,500 people suggested less than one-third (31%) supported a cull, while 40% opposed it. Only one in eight (12%) thought it should be the main measure for dealing with bovine tuberculosis.
Concerns have also been raised that a comprehensive government-commissioned study suggested culling badgers would only reduce outbreaks of bovine TB by about 15%.
However, DEFRA has insisted a cull is necessary to control the disease now. “Nobody wants to cull badgers,” said a spokesman for DEFRA.
“We are investing in the development of usable vaccines, but sadly these are still years away, and we have to take action now.
“Unless TB is effectively dealt with it will cost taxpayers about £1bn over the next 10 years.”
Two pilot badger culls are due to take place in the autumn in west Gloucestershire and west Somerset.
Farmers and landowners have been applying to Natural England for licences for the six-week trials, which will involve shooting free-running badgers. If the trials are successful, a further 10 cull areas could be created in England in 2013.
Find out more about the planned badger cull on our dedicated page or have your say on our forum.