RSPCA faces NFU backlash on cull stance

“Clued-up, I'm sure Mr Hill and the BWA would welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that his skill and methods will produce a dramatic reduction in the level of bovine TB on cattle farms.
And improve the health status of badgers on those farms.
Surly we all want to see that!”

“Bleach, It's all a question of maths. Helping hundreds of farmers over many years is a drop in the ocean when compared to the many thousands of farms that go down with TB every year.”

“@AtrixMan

"The farmer in question is not a self-declared "expert" his expertise has been declared by the hundreds of farmers he has helped over the years...".

This "expert" has no relevant professional qualifications, training or experience. He peddles theories that those with the relevant professional qualifications, training and experience know are ill-founded and in conflict with mainstream scientifically tested knowledge about TB and badgers. He hasn't taken the elementary precaution of getting his theories and "experiments" peer-reviewed by independent, accredited scientists.

Other farmers may well believe this "expert" - they have no more knowledge than he and are no more capable than he is of assessing the flaws in his pitch.

If the BWA was truly a 'welfare association', its members would know that only 1% - 2% badgers are ill themselves because of TB and the concept of an infected sett is erroneous (most animals in that sett will be perfectly healthy). No wildlife welfare association would ever put at risk the well-being of a large group of perfectly healthy animals in an attempt to humanely destroy the one or two individuals within the sett which were ill.”

“"There are many things in this world that scientist don't understand. That doesn't mean they're not true or don't work"

sigh.”

“Well if he's helped so many farmers he's not doing that good a job, is he. What with, you know, BTB being on the increase and everything.”

“Clued-up, Again you seam to be getting things wrong. The farmer in question is not a
self-declared "expert" his expertise has been declared by the hundreds of farmers he has helped over the years to rid their farms of bovine TB. And the BWA an organisation that is dedicated to bringing an end to the suffering of TB infected badgers, as well as aiming to reduce further infection of healthy badgers has every right to call itself a 'welfare association'.”

“@AtrixMan Re "you seem to believe that farmers shouldn't be allowed to be part of a badger welfare group" - that wasn't my point.

I like words to mean what they say. It annoys me that an organisation set up to destroy badgers at the whim of a self-declared "expert" should claim it has anything to do with promoting their welfare.”

“Badgerhugger There are many things in this world that scientist don't understand. That doesn't mean they're not true or don't work. Remember there once was a time when every scientist was certain that the world was flat!”

“I don't think you have read a word I have said so I will repeat it. The BWA are not a badger welfare group. They are making ridiculous claims about their ability to identify diseased setts. Please don't be fooled, it cannot be done. They have a right to opinions but nobody has the right to present nonsense as truth and go against all known science.”

“Clued-Up You seem to believe that farmers shouldn't be allowed to be part of a badger welfare group. Farmers should have as much right as any one else to be part of a badger pressure group. They don't want badgers on their farms suffering from TB and spreading it to healthy badgers or their cattle.They know that having healthy badger on their farm is their best defence against bovine TB. Right now the BWA are the only origination who care about ridding the badger population of this dreadful disease.”