EXCLUSIVE: Clegg backs badger cull
LIBERAL Democrat leader Nick Clegg is calling for a targeted cull of badgers in the Westcountry in a bid to tackle the spread of TB in cattle herds.
In an apparent U-turn since dismissing calls for a cull a year ago, Mr Clegg told a panel of WMN readers that something must be done "irrespective" of advice from scientists or ministers.
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Lib-Dem leader Nick Clegg answering questions at the China Fleet Club in Saltash yesterday
In the hour-long meeting, Mr Clegg condemned the behaviour of MPs over their expense claims, reiterated his support for the Post Office network, ruled out supporting the repeal of the Hunting Act and warned the Lib-Dem proposal for a local income tax could prove "impractical" in the short-term.
But his surprise support for a targeted pilot cull of diseased badgers was in stark contrast to remarks made to this newspaper a year ago, when he insisted he could not "second-guess" scientific evidence, blamed a lack of resources at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and warned, "I'm afraid that you are not going to get" a cull of badgers.
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Mr Clegg said yesterday that the geography of the Westcountry – surrounded by the sea – made it ideally suited to a pilot scheme. Concerns have previously been raised that a cull would only serve to drive infected badgers into other areas and the coastline would act as a natural barrier.
The policy reversal comes as the spread of bovine tuberculosis worsens in the Westcountry. Mr Clegg was told that, in the last year alone, the rate of infection in Cornwall increased by some 40 per cent.
Martin Howlett, Cornwall chairman of the National Farmers' Union, said a targeted cull of badgers was needed to "deliver healthy wildlife as well as healthy livestock".
"We have had such a problem with disease in wildlife – we have got to get on top of it.
"Where we lose our vital livestock industry hand over fist, you see wildlife suffering without any form of control."
Last week, Conservative environment spokesman Nick Herbert said he would back a targeted cull of infected badgers as part of the party's strategy to tackle the disease.
Labour ministers have rejected a badger cull, pinning their hopes on a vaccine to control the problem. This follows a 10-year study by the Independent Study Group (ISG) which concluded that culling could not "meaningfully contribute" to the control of the disease because it displaces the badgers, spreading the disease over a wider area.
But former Government chief scientist Sir David King argued a mass cull did have a part to play in the hardest-hit areas like the South West, which last year saw a record number of outbreaks.
Challenged to support the Tory position, Mr Clegg insisted it was time for action to be taken in the Westcountry.
"I am no scientist, but even by the laborious standards of scientific proof, it really beggars belief that it has taken them 10 years to still not take a decision.
"I think now the time has come that, irrespective of what scientists say, irrespective of what ministers say, in this part of the country let's at least just try out a pilot cull."
And he added: "I don't say that lightly because I am acutely aware that there are many people who are implacably opposed to a cull for reasons that are well beyond science – concerns about welfare and some argue the morality."
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by Lesley - Newcastle, newcastle upon tyne
Thursday, June 11 2009, 1:12PM
“As usual a depressingly political device. I wish somebody would do the sums. Why not clear the infected farms of cows - diversify. How many holiday makers will you atrract to the countryside if you go ahead with proposed slaugther. The farmers will get over it - just throw them some more subsidies, i.e. my tax pound. I'd be happy with that. As it is my consumer pound is being strategically directed until they bite the bullet - the farmers that is, not the badgers.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Friday, May 29 2009, 5:29PM
“:| It's a great pity that neither of you really have any understanding of the threat from bTB being caused by badgers. . The latest group of animals to have started to have a problem with it are the Camelids. . Owners are increasingly finding stock that is suffering and are immediately subjected to the same stringent measures as the dairy farmers.
Here is a recent quote from the British Camelid Conference.
"Owners are reminded that camelids can pass TB to humans, particularly through nose-to-nose contact. Treatment for TB is expensive, protracted and often ineffective so the disease is controlled by detection and slaughter."
"Camelids with TB can show unexplained weight loss. They may also exhibit breathing difficulties."
"TB can affect any apparently completely normal animal of any age and even one which passes the skin test."
"In Wales, all bovines and camelids are to be skin tested."
I really do hope that no people or animals close to you are ever infected with this disease. . . You will have no answer then.”
by Justin, Cornwall
Friday, May 29 2009, 11:48AM
“Well said Roger. It's good to see someone stand up for our GREAT BRITISH BADGER. The persecution of badger's,foxes and deer by human beings for the pleasure of blood letting is unexceptable. It's time that human begins grew up and accepted that all living creatures deserve respect from the human species. Killing our natural native wildlife for the betterment of the farmers is sick,as most people know. Their is NO justification for killing this important mammal. The Welsh Assembly decision is totally wrong!. The whole BTB situation has been over-hyped by some farmers and the NFU. Overblown and ridiculously out of control super hype. The scientific evidence is NOT conclusive on badgers and BTB. Charles is a past master at propaganda,no doubt! Best Justin”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Friday, May 29 2009, 11:17AM
“:| It was certainly much less of threat until the badger population multiplied 20 fold. . MRSA wasn't even heard of 20 years ago either.
But don't worry, they don't have to put humans down, just the animals. . The treatment is very drawn out and rarely gives a 100% cure, even if it's not XAR. . But you'll be ok though, . . probably.”
by Roger, west Cornwall
Friday, May 29 2009, 10:44AM
“Charles your attempts at scaremongering in your quest for badger blood is at best laughable.
The odds against 'pets, other livestock or a family member' going down with Mycobacterium bovis are miniscule.
never mind - just keep on trotting out the same old nonsense”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Friday, May 29 2009, 9:15AM
“:| No Roger, once their pets, other livestock or a family member goes down with Mycobacterium bovis. . They will be looking for someone to blame. . They won't have to look very far will they.”
by Roger, west Cornwall
Friday, May 29 2009, 8:59AM
“Nick Clegg should carefully consider who his 'rural voters' are.
The times when the bulk of the country population worked in farming are long gone!
We (the new country dwellers) do not believe that 'farmers know best'.
Badgers were here long before our destructive species and should not be killed in the name of commercial gain”
by Theo H, Lifton
Thursday, May 28 2009, 6:04PM
“Jim D
There is not a cull in Wales.
There is a pilot cull (=another experiment) in Pembrokeshire only.
It may work, but it is not a wide cull.
Theo H”
by Farringdon Loon, Menabilly
Thursday, May 28 2009, 5:25PM
“Jim D, nice thought that some of Britain's brightest might take up the cudgel and study science and engineering. But I wouldn't hold your breath. The quality of science teaching in schools is lacking, to say the least. And most kids think 'engineering' is a bloke in blue overalls with oily hands. Sorry if this sounds stereotypical, but it's true.
Everyone wants to be a celeb, a media monkey or a hairdresser.”
by Jim D, St Austell
Thursday, May 28 2009, 4:01PM
“No surprises that scientists are taking the flak for political spinelessness. The clear scientific evidence has been given to the politicians. It is that major badger culling will reduce TB incidence in cattle.
This has been accepted in Wales, presumably because the rural vote is consequential there, just as it is in much of Nick Clegg's LibDem heartland. Simple really - do the right thing and lose loads of votes, or be politically expedient and blame scientists.
But meanwhile try to encorage kids to learn about science so that they can take up rewarding careers where they can make a real difference...”