Sir,
Why do we need a barbaric and senseless badger cull being put forward by the Welsh Assembly and are the farmers being misled again in an attempt to control bovine TB. Surely 'Straws in the Wind' should know that the RSPCA and Badger Trust see that the badger cull will not help the badgers or the cattle and the unnecessary killing of both animals is of great concern to both of the organisations.
The history of bovine TB and up-to-date science are ignored by the Farmers Unions in their advice to the farmers. The biggest drop in bovine TB in cattle came from the 1930s until the 1970s when, by the removal of infected cattle and strict control of the movement of cattle, the disease was reduced from 40 per cent in the national cattle herd to less than one per cent. How many badgers were slaughtered to achieve this fantastic result? None.
The Farmers Unions put forward the Republic of Ireland's bTB policy as a great triumph. 60,000 badgers, only a few left, culled by snare and according to their Ministry of Agriculture's figures, bTb in cattle actually increased.
So what was the conclusion given in 2007 founded on the scientific trial in the UK, which by the way culled 11,000 badgers and cost the taxpayer £35m, 'Badger culling can make no meaningful contribution to cattle TB control in Britain'.
Professor Bourne also went on to say that the disease could be reversed by the rigid application of cattle based control measures alone. So come on Bryan Walters, Farmers Union official, accept the science and the history of the bTB problem and help the farmers; don't continue to lead them astray.
Michael Sharratt,
Badger Trust,
Cwm Coile,
Whitland.