Badger cull to be replaced by vaccines in bovine TB fight

[Orion]

Phew, You had me worried for a moment!

The information is actually correct. Earthworms do make up the bulk of a badgers diet at most times of the year. They can be reasonably predictable to track down to favoured locations where the worms are available on damp nights if you look for poached areas of grass on a field, as they’ll return to it time and again.

Wouldn’t agree with the ‘too slow’ comment though as they can get a shift on when needed.

 

[Primate]

The information is actually correct. Earthworms do make up the bulk of a badgers diet at most times of the year. They can be reasonably predictable to track down to favoured locations where the worms are available on damp nights if you look for poached areas of grass on a field, as they’ll return to it time and again.

Wouldn’t agree with the ‘too slow’ comment though as they can get a shift on when needed.

Agree. I was actually referring to the comments relating to "lambs going to slaughter anyway" I was expecting all hell to break loose!

 

[Odders]

From what I understand apparently your first paragraph is correct, and thats the reason they plan on phasing out the cull.
But vaccination of the Badger, really? How do they plan on catching them in traps when the farmers had so much difficulty in doing so?
The last sentence is incorrect, the Badger is just as much an opportunist as a Fox, if a free meal comes along he will take it, whilst they might look like slow lumbering animals they are not, a new born lamb is a nice takeaway on a Saturday night for a Badger.
Cheers
Richard

Vaccination is for the cattle, not the badgers
Badgers are not even close to foxes regarding their predation on livestock & the only time I've seen a badger feasting on a lamb was when it was predeceased.

 

[Odders]

I’ve had badgers killing lambs both here in Worcestershire and when I used to go lambing up to Scotland. And that’s one of the pluses of thermal, you can observe animals In their natural state going about their business. I interesting evening back in December watching brock work a field chasing rabbits. Didn’t catch any but sure put the frightners up a few! Then there’s the ground nesting birds to think about that we all have to consider in our farming practices(quite rightly). What’s the point with encouraging nesting birds only for them to be mopped up by brock whilst in the nest?? It’s all about balance and it’s us who must do it...

Balance isn't eradicating one species to protect others & there are far greater threats to ground nesting birds than badgers, from fox, feral cats, hedgehogs, stoats. weasels, rats...

 

[Odders]

You have obviously never lived here where they do kill both lambs and poultry.

Funny how that's never been pushed as a reason to control numbers in the same manner as foxes.

 

[shakey jake]

Balance isn't eradicating one species to protect others & there are far greater threats to ground nesting birds than badgers, from fox, feral cats, hedgehogs, stoats. weasels, rats...

but with the exception of hedgehogs we can do something about the rest, i work with alot of farmers badgers are a pest at the current population size, most want them controlled to stop the damage to land and ditchs. if you really beleive they dont eat lambs and chicken aswell as anything else they find then dont worry

 

[plonker]

Balance isn't eradicating one species to protect others & there are far greater threats to ground nesting birds than badgers, from fox, feral cats, hedgehogs, stoats. weasels, rats...

Whos mentioned eradicating badgers??

 

[devon deer stalker]

Vaccination is for the cattle, not the badgers

Wrong, read the article, they also plan to vaccinate the Badgers https://assets.publishing.service.g...ne-tb-strategy-review-government-response.pdf

 

[finnbear270]

Eradication was never intended for the Badger, eradication is hoped for for the disease, control and a lowering in numbers of Badgers is the aim of this sort of vaccine, This is my vaccine of choice,

 

[25 Sharps]

It depends if the new test can differentiate between a vaccinated animal and one with the disease. The EU would then probably be happy, I imagine.

Tb infected carcasses go into the food chain

 

[foxdropper]

Eradication was never intended for the Badger, eradication is hoped for for the disease, control and a lowering in numbers of Badgers is the aim of this sort of vaccine, This is my vaccine of choice, View attachment 151702

If I’m right in what I’m saying ,they asked for a 70% reduction year on year which in most areas was achieved in the first year according to the target figures that were in most cases ,exceeded to the point seasons were extended and farmers asked for more money .Then the next year the target was set at x amount .They smashed that target out the park with 2 weeks to go so they extended the target and season lol.Year 3 target wasn’t reached ,contractors all told to put in extra effort but numbers not about .70% far exceeded .Id say 90% and still a year to go .Im out 4 nights a week and can count seeing badgers on one hand since last October
Farmers will be more than happy to see the things gone ,they arnt fussed about the eco system only profit .
Several contractors here won’t be doing anything in our final year because they so few and they actually care about our wildlife .
Trouble is ,as I see it ,many went along for fear of losing their permission ,got caught up in the hype and went to town on numbers with no real thought to it .Speared on by farmers wanting to see them gone but not have the balks to say so .

 

[finnbear270]

Ergo, a reduction in numbers, barring the holes made by those who were frightened out of the scheme by criminal intent.

 

[shakey jake]

If I’m right in what I’m saying ,they asked for a 70% reduction year on year which in most areas was achieved in the first year according to the target figures that were in most cases ,exceeded to the point seasons were extended and farmers asked for more money .Then the next year the target was set at x amount .They smashed that target out the park with 2 weeks to go so they extended the target and season lol.Year 3 target wasn’t reached ,contractors all told to put in extra effort but numbers not about .70% far exceeded .Id say 90% and still a year to go .Im out 4 nights a week and can count seeing badgers on one hand since last October
Farmers will be more than happy to see the things gone ,they arnt fussed about the eco system only profit .
Several contractors here won’t be doing anything in our final year because they so few and they actually care about our wildlife .
Trouble is ,as I see it ,many went along for fear of losing their permission ,got caught up in the hype and went to town on numbers with no real thought to it .Speared on by farmers wanting to see them gone but not have the balks to say so .

you tell me a private buissness not interested in profit?

 

[25 Sharps]

If I’m right in what I’m saying ,they asked for a 70% reduction year on year which in most areas was achieved in the first year according to the target figures that were in most cases ,exceeded to the point seasons were extended and farmers asked for more money .Then the next year the target was set at x amount .They smashed that target out the park with 2 weeks to go so they extended the target and season lol.Year 3 target wasn’t reached ,contractors all told to put in extra effort but numbers not about .70% far exceeded .Id say 90% and still a year to go .Im out 4 nights a week and can count seeing badgers on one hand since last October
Farmers will be more than happy to see the things gone ,they arnt fussed about the eco system only profit .
Several contractors here won’t be doing anything in our final year because they so few and they actually care about our wildlife .
Trouble is ,as I see it ,many went along for fear of losing their permission ,got caught up in the hype and went to town on numbers with no real thought to it .Speared on by farmers wanting to see them gone but not have the balks to say so .

To be fair I’ve seen a huge increase in English partridge and lapwings around here where I know they’re culling. Plus o saw a hedgehog in the wild for the first time in a long time so the wildlife benefits too

 

[foxdropper]

Yes mate ,agreed .

 

[nightcrow]

Vaccination is for the cattle, not the badgers
Badgers are not even close to foxes regarding their predation on livestock & the only time I've seen a badger feasting on a lamb was when it was predeceased.

We have had strong 3/4 day old lambs with their tails ripped off their spine so that they die of shock.Already dead?No,with careful nursing a few recovered.

 

[CarlW]

Tb infected carcasses go into the food chain

I know. The question was about vaccinated animals entering Europe.

 

[Odders]

Whos mentioned eradicating badgers??

The cull is pointless unless that's the intent.

 

[nightcrow]

If I’m right in what I’m saying ,they asked for a 70% reduction year on year which in most areas was achieved in the first year according to the target figures that were in most cases ,exceeded to the point seasons were extended and farmers asked for more money .Then the next year the target was set at x amount .They smashed that target out the park with 2 weeks to go so they extended the target and season lol.Year 3 target wasn’t reached ,contractors all told to put in extra effort but numbers not about .70% far exceeded .Id say 90% and still a year to go .Im out 4 nights a week and can count seeing badgers on one hand since last October
Farmers will be more than happy to see the things gone ,they arnt fussed about the eco system only profit .
Several contractors here won’t be doing anything in our final year because they so few and they actually care about our wildlife .
Trouble is ,as I see it ,many went along for fear of losing their permission ,got caught up in the hype and went to town on numbers with no real thought to it .Speared on by farmers wanting to see them gone but not have the balks to say so .

The cull is not government funded but at a high cost by farmers and landowners so no one asked for more money.

 

[foxdropper]

I’m well aware who funded it .
Ask the farmers in Wilts and Dorset if they agree with your statement .Both areas ,the companies set up asked the farmers for more money to pay the contractors .Pm if you want details .