British Scientists Reject Badger Cull
Date: 19-Jun-07
Country: UK
Badgers are a wildlife host of bovine TB, which has become a serious problem for Britain's livestock producers, particularly in southwest England.
The report by the farm ministry's Independent Scientific Group concluded that "no practicable method of badger culling can reduce the incidence of cattle TB to any meaningful extent and several culling approaches may make matters worse."
A cull is strongly opposed by wildlife groups such as the Badger Trust and the animal welfare charity RSPCA.
UK farm minister David Miliband said in a written statement that "cattle control measures are critical in tackling this disease" adding that the government would consider the report as it sought to reach "a final policy decision".
A spokeswoman for the British Veterinary Association, which had backed a cull under certain conditions, said it had no immediate reaction to the report.
