The UK should delay its plan to kill thousands of badgers this autumn so European governments can consider whether the cull is in line with EUconservation law, actors and celebrities have urged in an open letter to the government.
The pilot culls, designed to reduce tuberculosis in cattle, could be in breach of the Bern Convention that protects EU wildlife and habitats – despite being ruled legal by the UK high court earlier this summer – argue signatories to the letter including actors Joanna Lumley and Dame Judi Dench, TV presenters Chris Packham and Mark Carwardine and author Jilly Cooper.
The secretariat of Bern said it believes there are grounds to consider whether the shooting of badgers by trained marksmen in Gloucester and Somerset as early as September breaches the convention, which the UK is a signatory to, but its decision-making committee does not meet until November…
Independent scientific studies have shown that culling would be of little help in reducing bovine TB, and even suggest that it could make things worse in some areas. To hear the facts, press play on the video below.
If you want the government to make the sensible choice. Sign the Petition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhojkHMyaJg&feature=share
http://www.justdosomething.org.uk/