Victoria's Green Matters - 10th April 2014

Deal With IT's Secretary Victoria Nicholls writes a regular column in the East Kent MercuryGood news, of sorts, for the badgers this week. Trial culls that have been taking place have been cancelled because they have been shown to be unsuccessful – exactly as the science had forecast. A huge amount of money has been wasted on something that was never going to work and has caused suffering to the badgers that were not killed outright.

In Wales, where it was decided not to go for a cull of badgers, it has been shown that increased bio-security, greater care over cattle movements and a programme of vaccination has been instrumental in reducing cases of bovine TB over the past year.

Surely the question should be asked – from where do badgers get TB? It is pretty obvious that TB has been passed to badgers from cows and an inevitable cycle has continued. Poor health in cattle is caused by continued over production of milk, where cows have a very short and highly industrious life.

Another report this week has told of the unprecedented killing of red kites by the use of poison. These magnificent birds have been successfully re-introduced into the UK after years of persecution made them extinct. The bodies of 16 kites were found in Scotland and the RSPB are at a loss as to why these birds were killed. Birds of prey are often killed by gamekeepers on grouse moors, however unlawfully, but red kites are carrion eaters and do not kill live prey.

Are we a nation of animal lovers?

Victoria Nicholls. Transition Deal.