Badger or bust?

This week badgers are in the news. People are certainly divided on the subject, some seeing them as a pest and threat to livestock, others as an integral and much loved member of British wildlife that needs to be preserved.

The row exists because it seems that a trial cull is going to go ahead despite the fact that a scientific trial (the Krebs trial) provided doubt over the effectiveness of culls in controlling rates of TB (tuberculosis) in cattle. The trial evidenced a reduction of around 16%, give or take, could be possible over 9 years. The study also highlighted that badgers are more likely to move around, as their social groups are disrupted to establish new groups. This movement could make things worse. On a Radio 4 this morning the reasons for the cull were discussed at length. It seems that a further 6 years data has been used to come up with the decision. There was suggestion that data had been "cherry picked" to give the result needed to justify the cull to satisfy farmers and voters.

This whole affair highlights our constant clash with nature and the environment in our existence on the planet. If we didn't rely on the cattle then we wouldn't be culling the badgers. 

All sorts of moral questions arise from these issues. Does the government have the right to cull a native or indeed otherwise member of our wildlife for economic reasons? Should we cull so many badgers if the effectiveness to control TB is so low? At the same time we have the right to deny farmers a living? One thing is certain. These things should be done right, for the right reasons and based on solid scientific data.

This is a perfect example of the need for interdisciplinary understanding amongst our politicians, scientists and the general public to understand and tackle these issues effectively to protect our environment and wildlife and economy.

If you are interested these issues we have a talk on Badger Conservation at the Sustainability Hub on Wednesday 28th November from 5pm to 6pm. All welcome. To book contact Colette on 01782 733555 or c.a.smallwood@keele.ac.uk

Sharon George