I had a nice letter from my MP Gareth Johnson (Dartford) the other day. Well it looked nice, all crisply folded with a fancy heading. Like a lot of other people I wrote to my MP to point out and explain my extreme disappointment at the government's decision to press on with a cull of badgers despite good science, conservation knowledge and an admirable public response going against it. I wasn't expecting a miracle but I thought he should know how at least one potential voter felt about it. At best, for what is rightfully proving to be a controversial issue, I think I was probably expecting a 'thanks, I'll pass that on' type response so I was surprised to receive what seemed like a more personal response on the subject.
Unfortunately that response was, in short - 'it's happening, deal with it'. Apparently, vaccination instead of culling is "not currently a viable option" and he fears that "if this action does not take place even more suffering will be inflicted upon both cattle and the badger population in the longer term". I'd like him to read this insightful article but anyway, we've been there. I suppose it's probably no surprise that these are the words of a Conservative party member and in keeping with the party line. With this said, despite his stance, I think I actually appreciate him being honest, it's good to know where we stand. At the end day, it's disappointing that he doesn't share my views but that's life, it probably won't be the last time! And it just makes me more determined to speak out for nature.
So far 150,000 people have signed the petition to stop the cull which is really encouraging I think and regardless of the outcome, significant. Petitions might seem dry and ineffective but they are an important means of reaching people who might otherwise have not been prompted to act. Aside from maintaining momentum, another challenge will now be encouraging those people to get behind other causes too. Why have 150,000 people signed a petition against a badger cull, but only 10,000 signed a petition to introduce tougher measures against those who actively encourage the barbaric persecution of raptors in England? I guess the same could be said for a lot of things. It's a challenge, but a good one.
To any readers who haven't already, please sign this petition to introduce the offence of vicarious liability for raptor persecution in England. This holds landowners/employers accountable for actions of their employees and will help create further deterrents against this horrific wildlife crime. It seems all the more pertinent today:
Why not tell your MP about it and let them know what you think? Or quiz them on climate change or a local environmental issue? The question mark in the title was intended; we have a voice and we shouldn't take 'no' for answer.
Showing posts with label Badgers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Badgers. Show all posts
Tuesday, 9 October 2012
Monday, 17 September 2012
When it comes to badgers, it IS black and white...
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| Badger (Meles meles) source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Badger-badger.jpg |
When it comes to badgers, it is black and white – there is
simply no excuse for the appalling situation we find ourselves facing today. Despite good scientific evidence in favour of vaccinations and widespread appeals, our dear government looks likely to press ahead with plans to start a trial cull of badgers in Gloucestershire and Somerset. According to reports this could result in the needless deaths of 100,000 animals or a third of the national population.
It was interesting to talk to a few friends at the weekend
about the Badger cull. They’re all good, smart, clued up folk, yet I was quite surprised to find some were not aware of the issue or the proposed cull. And
that’s totally fine, I mean it doesn’t have to crop up in everyday life or interest
everyone but rather than reflect a lack of interest, I think it’s more a sign of how well
the media (and the government) have managed to keep this under the radar. Who can blame them though when there's more pressing matters to address (or undress?) like some women's pixellated tits. It was nice to see the issue make the front page of the Guardian this
morning, rather than quietly filed under the ‘Environment’ tab (or on page17 of a
Red Top).
I think this is a story deserving of every front
page, heralding as it does a sinister dark pass in the government’s thinking on
how to manage the countryside. Owen Paterson, Environment Secretary, even managed to spin it as helping badgers - by not allowing them to suffer the effects of bTb. And vaccination would do what? I’m having a pretty hard time getting my head around the chain of events.
We find ourselves on the verge of witnessing the
needless slaughter of an iconic and much loved native animal. It’s a decision
that flies in the face of sound scientific evidence and is instead fuelled by a
bloody minded insistence that they know best. Expensive, unsustainable and
destructive, the desire for action in a direct, physical sense has replaced all
sane, compassionate thought. Forget the fact that this won’t work and will
cause numerous problems for farmers, landowners, protesters and others, it promotes a way of managing the countryside that ultimately threatens something
far greater than a single species. It perpetuates the image that nature and our
countryside is something that needs to be battled and fought against with GUNS and
steely determination. Midnight SWAT teams descending on woodlands and field
boundaries, ruthlessly crashing through terminating THE ENEMY. What a message
to send. THIS…this is the BEST we can come up with? Are you f**king kidding?!
So what happens next?
Well, it’s worth taking a look at this short video and signing the petition
if you haven’t already. Then tell all your friends. Look, you couldn't say no to David Attenborough could you?!:
The petition is a long shot and unlikely to make any difference at
this late stage, but it will provide them with an idea as to the strength of public
feeling on the subject. With the Badger Trust’s judicial challenge failing last
week, parliament not sitting until mid-October and the permits already flying
out of Natural England, you’re guess is as good as mine as to what will happen.
I’d like to think of them all sitting there as the
door bursts open and a messenger runs in yelling ”WAIT, wait…have a look at
THIS!”, before he slings a folder with 100,000 signatures across the table. But I’m
not sure it works like that. Why not tell your MP what you think too? Check here for details. At the very least you'll get a fancy headed letter in the post.
Every nature lover in the country wants to see farmers make a living and bovine tubercolosis (bTb) eliminated, but this is NOT the way to do it. It's time we showed some respect. I feel sorry for the farmers who'll have to go through this, who have been put in this position by the government. For while I am sure there will be some for whom the cull is of little significance, another job on the list, there will be those who are saddened and shocked by the actions.
Apologies if this was a rambling, repetitive blog, one of those days. I'll leave the last word to Johnny Rotten:
Links:
Farmer's Weekly: http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/14/09/2012/135197/Race-is-on-to-start-badger-cull-as-appeal-fails.htm
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