National Trust drops opposition to culling of TB badgers on its land
The National Trust will not oppose the killing of badgers on its Westcountry properties, if a cull of diseased animals is allowed by the Government.
The trust has updated its stance on a cull, having previously stated that its preferences for dealing with the spread of bovine tuberculosis would be cattle-to-cattle controls and vaccination.
But in an new statement this week, which could prove unpopular among elements of its three-and-a-half million members, the National Trust said it would not object to a cull on its tenanted farms and other land, provided all the correct checks and balances were in place. But the trust still stressed that badger vaccination should be used wherever and whenever possible.
The statement said: "If the criteria for a successful cull can be met, and it is legal and carried out to the highest possible welfare standards as part of a package of measures that includes more rigorous approaches to reduce cattle-to-cattle transmission, then we would not object to culls taking place in areas that include our land, where it is shown all other routes have been explored."
It added: "We accept there is no point addressing cattle-to- cattle transmission without also addressing the wildlife reservoir of bovine TB. We feel strongly that this should be done as part of a comprehensive package of measures."
The Government has ordered a three-month consultation on what to do about the steady spread of bovine TB throughout cattle herds in various areas, notably the South West, and that will run until the end of the year.
Once all the evidence has been collated, a decision on a way forward is likely to be announced in the early spring, but it would not necessarily involve the culling of sick badgers. Culling could be one of the options, using cage traps and shooting.
Farming organisations have urged their members to respond positively to the consultation paper and encourage a cull in hot-spot areas, where many cattle herds are subject to prolonged movement restrictions having lost animals that proved positive to TB tests.
The National Trust, which claims to be "the guardian of the nation's heritage", is a major landowner in the Westcountry.
In particular, it is the largest landowner on Exmoor, where it is the guardian of 7,155 hectares of moorland, woodland and mixed farm holdings.
Exmoor is one of the four hotspot areas in the Westcountry where 1,700 farmers have signed up for licences applying to cull sick badgers, should the cull go ahead.
The others include North Cornwall and West Devon, West Penwith and the South Hams, all of which contain well-known National Trust properties, coastline and farms.
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by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Tuesday, October 05 2010, 8:50AM
“:| Graham I am so glad you have at last realised your lack of understanding of the complexities of bTB and accepted that that it is the reason the Trust has now dropped its opposition to culling badgers. It would be as stupid as refusing to have gangrenous limbs removed and would probably be in breach of their charter and charitable status.”
by Graham, Sheffield
Monday, October 04 2010, 11:22PM
“Yes, the National Trust is indeed a conservation charity and should therefore look after our protected species especially when threatened by national ignorance, inability to understand scientific principles and false reasoning.”
by JAM1989, cornwall
Monday, October 04 2010, 11:05PM
“we can all copy and paste paragraphs from wikipedia. Its not exactly giving an opinion though is it.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, October 04 2010, 10:11PM
“:| Perhaps you will listen to a very highly qualified woman.
Dr. Christianne Glossop Glossop was appointed the first Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales in June 2005. Working within the Department for Rural Affairs of the Welsh Assembly
Government, she heads up the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer, which is
responsible for animal health and welfare policy and strategy. Her top priorities are to ensure a state of preparedness for any incursion of exotic notifiable disease, and to vigorously pursue a programme of TB eradication in Wales. Christianne qualified at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, where she also completed her PhD on aspects of cattle fertility. She has specialised in food animal production and medicine throughout her career, with a particular interest in breeding technologies. She is Past President of both the International and British Pig Veterinary Societies, and has also served on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and British Veterinary Association Councils. Joining the State Veterinary Service (now Animal Health) during the 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease epidemic, her last role within that organisation was divisional Veterinary Manager in Reading.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k52Ce6ZLWY
.”
by KatieBob, Cornwall
Monday, October 04 2010, 9:15PM
“I agree with JAM1989 here! This is repugnant!! Those badgers and as JAM1989 said their homes are being destroyed how would you like it if a load of Badgers came and took over you land and your home?!
Also, May I add, If cows weren't made to reproduce with their siblings they may have stronger systems and not be so susceptible to contracting such diseases! BTW my nan had TB in her finger!!”
by JAM1989, cornwall
Monday, October 04 2010, 8:14PM
“When trying to make someone look like an 'idiot', you often just make yourself look like one. Wouldnt it be best to be slightly more open minded, and actually prove that badgers are the cause before they are blamed. And even so, why should they be wiped out, the cattle farms have taken over their habitat. How many times do humans have to mess with nature before they realise it ruins the ecosystem. The rise in TB may infact be down to the rise in poorer and more cramp living conditions, and other weaknesses that our societies have caused. Its disgusting that killing innocent animals for no proven reason can be allowed.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Sunday, October 03 2010, 3:40PM
“I had this letter published in the Western Daily Press way, way back Timothy.
The Editor
Western Daily Press
Dear Editor,
It will come as no surprise to the majority of those vets and farmers involved with Bovine tuberculosis(bTB), that the majority of cattle more recently sentenced to death by the now totally discredited Gamma Interferon blood testing regime, were not only clinically healthy, but showed no sign of disease whatsoever at post-mortem. . The key to the efficacy of this test is its sensitivity and specificity. . It was tested to be used ALONGSIDE the skin test, and certainly not instead of it. The skin test is now universally accepted as the only effective test for use in cattle and deer and other livestock.
There are very many different Mycobacterium in the environment with different strains of each, and clearly the Gamma Interferon blood test is unable to distinguish between them all, whether they be harmful to the host animal or not. This blanket killing procedure is a disgrace to both DEFRA(the Government body responsible), and the veterinary profession, particularly when no attempt is being made to cull and remove the major source of infection from the reservoir species; the badger.
Yours
Charles Henry
.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Sunday, October 03 2010, 3:30PM
“:| And as you obviously know nothing at all about it David, with you it's worse than trying to wean a crack-head.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Sunday, October 03 2010, 3:24PM
“:| But we've ALWAYS known that Tim! . right from the VERY BEGINNING. . That is what farmers and vets have always been so angry about! You are know talking like an idiot who knows NOTHING. . What do you think has now giving Alpacas and deer and wild boar TB? . . The Fairies? . Stop trying to be so clever all the time, and start listen to Dr Christianne Glossop and the BVA. .The more endemic bTB becomes in the wild, the greater the risk becomes. All-be-it still very small to humans at the moment. . Just ignoring bTB and pretending it just doesn't matter, is not an option.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k52Ce6ZLWY
.”
by David, St Austell
Sunday, October 03 2010, 3:07PM
“I don't know why you waste your time Tim. You might as well try to convert the Pope to Islam.”