Paul at Fechan
Well-Known Member
so if this was an e-petitions... how many would sign???
The Europe an Badger (Meles meles) is a mammal found throughout Europe and Scandinavia. It is a species hunted in many European and other home range countries which does not impact it's international conservation status as a species of 'least concern'.
The current protection offered to Badgers within the UK is unnecessary and has lead to a rapid increase in the population now estimated to be around 300,000. This high population is aiding the spread of Bovine Tuberculosis and contributes to an estimated 50,000 road traffic collisions per year caused by this increase to such high numbers of the species. Apart from the significant economical impact of this species spreading Bovine Tb to cattle and through insurance related claims because of vehicular damage, the badger is also a very damaging species to many other farming interests, game related sectors or rural conservation projects looking to protect and promote species designated as threatened or endangered.
The proposal of this petition is that there should be a removal of the protected status of this species as it currently stands in terms of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. This is to allow for the European Badger to be hunted and controlled as a quarry species with suitable open and closed season. This move which could allow for the seasonal control of badgers within the UK would give the land owner the opportunity to manage and control this species as is currently practiced with deer, game and vermin where necessary. Many landowners, local authorities, farmers or forestry companies would have no reason to manage existing badger populations on their holdings, but for the Dairy and Beef industry as with other farming and conservation, this proposal could lead to simple proactive management of the species where their impact can otherwise be devastating.
The Europe an Badger (Meles meles) is a mammal found throughout Europe and Scandinavia. It is a species hunted in many European and other home range countries which does not impact it's international conservation status as a species of 'least concern'.
The current protection offered to Badgers within the UK is unnecessary and has lead to a rapid increase in the population now estimated to be around 300,000. This high population is aiding the spread of Bovine Tuberculosis and contributes to an estimated 50,000 road traffic collisions per year caused by this increase to such high numbers of the species. Apart from the significant economical impact of this species spreading Bovine Tb to cattle and through insurance related claims because of vehicular damage, the badger is also a very damaging species to many other farming interests, game related sectors or rural conservation projects looking to protect and promote species designated as threatened or endangered.
The proposal of this petition is that there should be a removal of the protected status of this species as it currently stands in terms of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. This is to allow for the European Badger to be hunted and controlled as a quarry species with suitable open and closed season. This move which could allow for the seasonal control of badgers within the UK would give the land owner the opportunity to manage and control this species as is currently practiced with deer, game and vermin where necessary. Many landowners, local authorities, farmers or forestry companies would have no reason to manage existing badger populations on their holdings, but for the Dairy and Beef industry as with other farming and conservation, this proposal could lead to simple proactive management of the species where their impact can otherwise be devastating.