{UK} Public says 'no' to badger cull (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

The British public is opposed to culling badgers as a means of restricting bovine TB, according to responses to a government consultation.

The government received more than 47,000 responses from the public, with 96% saying "no" to a cull.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) which favours culling said many of the responses stemmed from campaigns run by wildlife and conservation groups.
***
"This is clearly an emotive subject that strongly divides opinion," said animal health and welfare minister Ben Bradshaw.

"But what is clear is that respondents broadly agree that any decision on culling must be based on a sound scientific and practical foundation."
***
more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5172360.stm <WARNING: really graphic photo of a badger 'culled' apparently by a snare trap>

[Massacure]

1. Damn Brits must be importing people from Wisconsin.

Who needs China when you got Wisconsin.

[Nihil]

2. Translation please?

> Damn Brits must be importing people from Wisconsin.

This damn Brit didn't understand the joke ...

[Massacure]

4. Wisconsin is a state in the U.S. that is nicknamed "The Badger State"

[Nihil]

5. Ah! Thank you!

:hi:

[Nihil]

3. Strange that ... they prefer badgers' lives to farmers' profits.

> The NFU agrees that bovine tuberculosis incidence has fallen in recent
> months, but suggests this is a blip on a generally upward trend.

What they fail to acknowledge is that the farming practices supported by
the NFU (National Farmers Union) encourage TB propagation through the
interchange & transportation of cattle to maximise income, regardless of
what used to be termed "hygiene" ...

> "Many of these respondents will have little or no knowledge or experience
> of the distress that this fearful disease can bring to farmers," said Alex
> Dinsdale, a TB advisor to the NFU.

1) The "distress" that is brought to farmers is primarily through their pockets
and their spreadsheets (and their increasing insurance premiums due to their
increasing claims ... funny that ...).

2) The very vocal "TB advisor to the NFU" should consider refunding some of
his exhorbitant consultancy charges if he genuinely cares about farmers'
welfare ... oh, sorry ... as if ...