Published: April 10, 2008
Burnham wildlife charity speaks of its 'disgust' at badger cull plans

A wildlife charity based near Burnham-On-Sea has this week spoken of its 'disgust' after a decision by the Welsh Assembly to go ahead with a pilot of pro-active badger culling as part of their bovine TB control in cattle.

Secret World Wildlife Rescue says the Welsh Assembly has chosen to ignore the advice of Professor John Bourne, the chairman of an independent science group which carried out a study costing the government £50million, that concluded badger culling played no part in the control of bovine TB in cattle.

"Most farming and conservation groups at the start of the trial in 1996 conceded that clear science was needed to resolve the TB problem. This was particularly welcomed by the National Farmers Union and other farming bodies. Now, with the result published, and after the deaths of 10,000 badgers, these groups have turned their backs on the results. The Welsh Assembly is to take us back a decade by listening to retired vets and farming lobbying bodies," said Secret World founder Pauline Kidner on Wednesday (April 9th).

"The sad fact is that farming in Wales will be dramatically affected - yet it is only a nucleus of fanatical people with historical mind sets that are driving this cull forward. They will be the ones with blood on their hands. We already are receiving desperate calls from farmers wishing to identify the areas involved as they do not wish to have their badgers culled."

"The Welsh Assembly should be ashamed of their actions and will probably live to regret their decision, not only because of reprisals that could well affect their tourism and trading, but also the scientific fact that they will also spread the disease which they are hiding their actions behind."