County councillors call for extraordinary meeting against badger cull
In opposition to the forthcoming badger cull Liberal Democrat Councillors from across Gloucestershire have today called for the county council's chairman to arrange an extraordinary meeting.
At the Budget and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 26th September it was suggested that the Council review its policy regarding Rural Practices and Procedures. The recommendation came after a petition had been submitted and signed by 779 people against the forthcoming badger cull.
Five Liberal Democrat County Councillors have given written notice of their wish to bring forward the Committee's recommendation before next month's full council meeting and prior to the start of such cull.
Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Cllr. Klara Sudbury (LD, All Saints) said:
Sunday and Monday evenings £12.00 per head for an all inclusive meal with Indian and Thai cuisine (normal price £14.50).
Bring this voucher to the restaurant complete with your name and email address on it.
Terms: Expires 31st July
Contact: 01452 223782
Valid until: Wednesday, July 31 2013
"There has been overwhelming opposition to the cull from people from all walks of life.
"The date of the next full council is not until the 21st November but culling could start before this date.
"It is a matter of urgency that the Council seriously considers the recommendations that have been put forward by the Budget Scrutiny Committee regarding Rural Practices and Procedures before shooting starts."
Police and Crime Panel member Cllr. Bill Crowther (LD, Hucclecote) said:
"There is a very real risk to public safety that needs further consideration.
"It is not merely enough to just obtain a relevant licence to shoot badgers, but also a risk assessment from those council tenants involved in the cull."
Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr. Jeremy Hilton said:
"The scientific evidence is clear that a badger cull won't work and the Government needs to think again about proceeding with this course of action.
"Emotions are running high with this issue and it could result in innocent people being shot in areas where the badger cull is taking place. The last thing we need is people being killed or seriously injured, as well as the unnecessary slaughter of badgers."
Comments
by Jewbacca
Thursday, October 11 2012, 10:15AM
“I was rooting for the badgers until I heard Jeanne Berry do the mentalist routine on Radio Gloucestershire this morning.
Due to her i've changed my mind, and advocate badgers for testing both cigarettes and beauty products.”
by fischadler
Thursday, October 11 2012, 9:29AM
“Another farmer speaks out against the cull:
http://tinyurl.com/9tzocpw
Just hope he is not intimidated by the extremists at the NFU. Never mind the sabs will step in to protect him. LOL”
by JASB999
Thursday, October 11 2012, 9:08AM
“Daniboy72 there was an open letter signed by Gloucestershire and Somerset cattle farmers against the cull. Other signaturies to the letter were vets and scientists. I just wish I could find the link to show you.”
by eyeopener
Thursday, October 11 2012, 1:08AM
“@TimMessanger Can you please explain what "clutching at straws means?" To ask E_Badger to explain "Former" with reference to Steve Jones so as to infer he is quite out of touch is a bit foolhardy given that he has 35 years of experience managing cattle. Exprience that has included the organic livestock industry as well as commercial dairying in the UK and around the globe, in locations as diverse as Scandinavia and Saudi Arabia.
I respect that you sincerely believe in culling and yes as fresh articles appear it can be difficult to recycle arguements, reason and research in a "fresh" way; but challenging E_Badger over the word "former" with reference to Steve Jones smacks of desperation.”
by eyeopener
Thursday, October 11 2012, 12:57AM
“@daniboy72 "Badgers are endangered no less than cattle by overcrowding."
If by that statement you mean that increased Badger density increases the prevalance of TB in Badgers You are quite wrong. Various studies of the epidemiology of Badgers have shown that unlike in Humans the incidence of TB is not related to Badger density.”
by TimMessanger
Thursday, October 11 2012, 12:23AM
“@E_Badger can you remind me what "FORMER" mean?”
by gallopingbear
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 10:48PM
“If tewkesbury and forest are rural borough councils then there are no towns in these places? Doubt any of the councillors have ever milked a cow in their life. Now they are branding about images of farmers/marksmen being balaclava clad and shooting women and children left right and centre. Enough is enough. You have stopped the ban on council land, ok. But this is scaremongering, discrimination and probably too much cheese before bed/post watershed viewing because you are getting confused between farmers and the IRA.
Don't emerge from any badger dens in the middle of the night wearing black and white costume and you won't get shot, not even by accident.
We all know councillors love to feel self important, but the cull comes from government, amd sorry klara, they are way ahead of you on that slippery career ladder and you must fall in line. Protect the farmers who are within their rights to go ahead with the cull, and hope it gets overturned. Do not instigate hate crime against them.”
by daniboy72
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 9:39PM
“Granny Online- I would be delighted to be proved wrong. My point is precisely that. None of us can judge as to the efficacy of a cull, and Bourne was not probative but suggestive. The jury remains out. Let the debate and research continue without emotionalism.
Hary Mary - I entirely agree. Of course uninfected groups were leaving infected and overcrowded setts, and any cull should be sustained and efficient. The maximum size of a clan is, in my experience, 12-14 given suitable conditions, though it may be as small as five or six. Badgers are endangered no less than cattle by overcrowding.”
by grannyonline1
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 9:27PM
“danniboy.......im sure by now you have at least heard of the bourne report, and should know it was certainly not a "limited trial" as you put it. It took nearly 10 years to compile, hardley limited. Also you say, "a drug that was 16% effective would be of interest to you", well it certainly would never get a license or be let loose on the general public.”
by Harymary
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 9:14PM
“@daniboy72 You wrote: "An organised, sustained and efficient cull would restrict the sizes of clans, so preventing migratory groups spreading infection."
But it's not organised, sustained; nor is it efficient . How could it be when gunmen are supposed to be shooting badgers in the dark. Neither would it prevent migratory groups spreading infection as was proved in the Krebs scientific study which showed that badges actually moved from infected areas to those that were BTB free, potentially spreading the disease further.”