Farmer adds weight to argument against badger cull
FARMER David Purser has spoken out against a pilot badger cull, which could start today.
The 56-year-old, who owns a farm near Cheltenham, about 20 miles from the edge of the cull zone, says there is "no justification" to shoot the creatures in a bid to stop the spread of Bovine Tuberculosis among cattle.
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Call for change: Farmer Dave Purser is against the badger cull
The Government has approved the controversial measure and, despite furious protest from animal rights campaigners, farmers could soon start shooting badgers on their land within trial cull zones.
Mr Purser, who has kept his own cattle since the 1980s, insisted culling was not the answer, and called for new legislation on vaccinating cattle to be pushed through.
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"In every other instance where disease threatens our cattle we have vaccination in our armoury," he said.
"We know that vaccines reduce the incidence of disease in our cattle and this gives us scope to use our own skills to manage the health and welfare of our herds to suit our particular circumstances.
"We are only denied this essential approach with Bovine TB because of an outdated EU directive governing export which insists on 'accelerated eradication' of the disease and simultaneously bans the use of cattle vaccine.
"Even the casual observer can see that the answer to this issue is to challenge the EU and get the rules changed to allow cattle vaccine – hence the huge and justifiable public outcry in opposition to a massacre of our badgers."
Petition
Hundreds of people from Cheltenham have signed a petition against the cull. Opponents of the measure also point to a lack of scientific proof that a cull would be effective in reducing cases of Bovine TB.
However, some farmers have backed calls for the move – arguing that it is the best available measure until cattle vaccinations can be legalised.
Mr Purser said sensationalising figures on how widespread Bovine TB was had blurred the debate.
He added: "Cases of Bovine TB have not risen dramatically. There is no epidemic.
"Farming bodies should avoid a PR disaster by abandoning the badger cull."
Comments
by andrewfynn
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 10:33AM
“critical low cost solution that is much more humane:
http://tinyurl.com/9uu43er”
by GlosResident1
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 12:18PM
“Lolz Geraint! Let's hope no "violent sabs" get in her way!”
by geraint2010
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 11:40AM
“Down Forthampton way with her gun perhaps?”
by GlosResident1
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 11:08AM
“Where has 2Ladybugs gone? I was looking forward to a "discussion" :-(”
by Emwye
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 7:27PM
“there will be debate in the House of Commons on the Badger Cull - for 6 hours on 25/10/12
http://tinyurl.com/8wd56xl
This is the first time that this policy will have been subject to democratic scrutiny and a huge relief to everyone who is concerned that it had come about without regard for public opinion or proper process.
And of course those who dont want to see badgers shot and think it wont help btbt!
The government will for the first time have to publicly defend the policy to the nation. Anyone who knows what outcome they want please tell your MP knows what you think and that they are accountable to the public at the ballot box - not to vested interests.”
by GlosResident1
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 6:42PM
“So, here's the really interesting bit. Smith 2001 determined r0 in badgers to be between 1.1 and 1.2. A later study found figures between 1.025 and 1.229. Pretty much in agreement then. With this in mind, it is likely necessary to successfully vaccinate as few as 17% of badgers to reduce r0 below sustainable levels as required to "kill off the disease". Now, taking into account your argument that potentially only 50% of vaccinations are successful (again not sure on the source of this claim) that still only makes it necessary to vaccinate around 40% of badgers.
Discuss?”
by GlosResident1
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 6:31PM
“2ladybugs, I am unclear on where your sweeping statement that it is widely accepted that it is necessary to vaccinate 95% of a population against any disease for it to make a difference comes from. This is totally incorrect.
The proportion of a population which it is necessary to vaccinate to halt the spread of a disease and, subsequently to eradicate it, depends on the individual reproductive rate of the disease in question.
The proportion which needs to be vaccinated can be calculated simply enough and is equal to 1-(1/r0) with r0 being the reproductive rate. The number can not be the same across all diseases because r0 is not the same.
You see the importance of science? :-)”
by 2ladybugs
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 5:11PM
“Hi Emwye, have tried the links again and the second one that didn't work (it was coming up with some message about the URL not working). Have tried them both again and hopefully they will both work long enough for me to be able to read them. :((
Re: the first bit about the Freedom of information I will see what I can find on ALL of this subject.”
by Emwye
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 5:02PM
“Ladybugs - Freedom of Information Requests and the reasons for their refusals are a matter of public record.
I have also put links in - did you not see or are they not working?”
by geraint2010
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 5:00PM
“Now-now 2Ladybugs, your response to those who disagree with have now graduated from insulting to something akin to a threat. Methinks it's time to put your feet up with a nice cup of tea while keeping an eye on the old blood pressure!”