See the brilliant Brian via the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfQmUE-bgDU#t=10

http://www.save-me.org.uk/BAD_illegal_Claims.html

As many of you are aware, we have been fighting the issue of badger culling on our own ‘patch’ of England for many months now.  Right from the start the animal welfare lobby declared that the culls would be a complete waste of both time and public money.  Mass demonstrations have taken place right across the country in support of the badger; and in opposition to the culls proposed by the government as a lead up to what could be much larger and widespread culls.

Well this week the politicians gave a resounding ‘NO’ to the killing of any more badgers.  As you can read in the media links provided, there have been many reasons cited as to why the culls were an outstanding failure.

Despite the will of experts investigating the issue, the vast will of the majority of the British public to leave the badgers alone, the government could still ignore the will of the elected majority and carry on regardless.

Possibly it is an attempt by the Conservative government here in the UK to try and show the farming lobby and potential pro-Conservative voters, that they are trying to do something.  The UK has a General Election to elect the next government in May 2015.  If this is the case, votes rather than thought out animal welfare, then the government have made a very serious mistake as the culls which have taken place to date have basically been meaningless and showed nothing in the way of positive results for the pro-kill badger lobby.

The following is a report on the current political situation, and following you can read several press articles (via links) on the vote in Parliament this last week.  Finally, we have provided a copy of many of our past links on this issue, in order that you can see the hard work which has been undertaken to try and stop the unnecessary killing of the badger.

Badger cull in numbers:

50% or fewer badgers were killed than target figure

·         6.4% – 18% badgers took longer than five minutes to die

·         1,771 number of badgers culled*

·        £7.29m estimated cost of badger cull, according to animal welfare charity*

Source: Independent Expert Panel, – Care for the Wild*

Mark – SAV

Thursday 13^th March

Yesterday, MPs across all political parties gave the badger cull roll out a resounding ‘NO’ in parliament with a number of brave MPs defying the government and taking a stand against culling.

This victory could help save an estimated 100,000 badgers!

However, we mustn’t be complacent as the government could still ignore the will of the elected majority and carry on regardless.

Join us in calling for an urgent independent review of the bovine TB strategy ahead of any decision to allow more culling and a debate and binding vote during government time!

Last year’s pilot culls failed to kill enough badgers in both pilot areas to meet the government’s own targets. This, even after being extended beyond the original six weeks – a move which scientific conclusions published by Defra said could make the spread of TB worse.

There are also reports that The Independent Expert Panel (IEP) have found that the pilots failed the humaneness criteria with more than five percent of badgers taking longer than five minutes to die!

If culling is extended to more areas then imagine just how many more badgers could die in such pain… act now!

Join us now, as we vow to fight on against plans to slaughter an estimated 100,000 badgers across England!

Thank you for your support,

Press Links:

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/14/badger-cull-mps-vote-halt-england

“MPs voted overwhelmingly to halt the controversial badger culls in England on Thursday, but the backbench motion does not bind ministers to abandon the policy.

The motion, proposed by the Conservative MP Anne Main, stated that the pilot culls had “decisively failed” and was passed by 219 votes to one.”

http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/MPs-urge-end-inhumane-slaughter-badgers/story-20806205-detail/story.html

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/12/police-badger-cull-protester-movements

“Police kept badger cullers informed of protester movements, court hears”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26369306

“An independent scientific assessment of last year’s pilot badger culls in parts of Gloucestershire and Somerset has concluded that they were not effective.”

 Links to see some of our previous SAV posts about the English badger cull:

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2014/01/05/england-uk-badger-cull-cost-4100-per-badger-claim-campaigners/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2013/11/17/england-uk-20-minute-video-see-the-work-of-team-badger-and-wounded-badger-patrol/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2010/12/08/uk-dr-brian-may-queen-guitarist-tells-why-he-has-to-speak-for-the-animals/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2010/04/13/uk-london-brian-may-launches-save-me-anti-hunting-campaign/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2010/04/08/uk-england-queen-rock-legend-brian-may-fumes-over-queen-song-used-in-pro-hunt-video/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2013/12/06/england-uk-another-conservative-government-u-turn-cruel-badger-cull-meets-embarrassing-end-animal-advocates-right-all-along/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2013/10/17/england-badger-update-now-badgers-to-be-gassed-pro-hunt-paterson-and-cameron-go-from-farce-to-shambles-to-inept-but-conveniently-stay-as-multi-millionaires-we-are-all-in-thi/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2013/10/15/uk-england-badger-cull-snippets-the-government-increase-kill-time-to-meet-failed-animal-numbers/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2013/09/15/england-badger-cull-update-no-badgers-tested-for-bovine-tb-but-tests-are-to-see-if-badgers-can-be-shot/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2013/09/13/england-uk-the-badger-cull-is-it-as-effective-as-what-the-government-are-telling-the-public-not-that-much-is-being-said/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2013/08/29/uk-england-the-badger-cull-is-under-way-despite-massive-public-opposition/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2013/06/02/england-london-march-against-the-badger-cull-1st-june-2013/

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional | Leave a comment »

David Cameron – Prime Minister and Huntsman

– Ignoring the Wishes of the British Public – at a Cost ??

http://www.league.org.uk/our-campaigns/hunting/its-no-joke-campaign

League Against Cruel Sports Website Link:

http://www.league.org.uk/    

Breaking News: I am writing to update you on the developing threat to the hunting ban. We have been informed that a motion to amend the Hunting Act, effectively legalising hunting, could be laid before Parliament within just a few days, most likely being debated on Wednesday 26th March. The threat is real and we have to act now. 

Above – The Real Side of Foxhunting – Photos: MJ – SAV

The Government have indicated that they are considering amending the Hunting Act by using an Affirmative Statutory Instrument (SI), a type of legislation that can be used to push unpopular changes through Parliament with less scrutiny than a full vote on repeal would require.

This SI would lift the limit on the number of dogs used to flush out wild mammals and in doing so, with a full pack of up to 40 hounds being used, would make the Act impossible to police and undermine the legislation to such an extent it would be made toothless.

We believe the vote could take place on Wednesday 26th March so we need you to contact your MP immediately and urge them to vote against this devious attempt to bring back cruelty.

Once you’ve taken action please also share with your friends and family.

Thank you for your support.

The Government have indicated that they are considering amending the Hunting Act by using an Affirmative Statutory Instrument (SI), a type of legislation that can be used to push unpopular changes through Parliament with less scrutiny than a full vote on repeal would require.

This SI would lift the limit on the number of dogs used to flush out wild mammals and in doing so, with a full pack of up to 40 hounds being used, would make the Act impossible to police and undermine the legislation to such an extent it would be made toothless. 

We believe the vote could take place on Wednesday 26th March so we need you to contact your MP immediately and urge them to vote against this devious attempt to bring back cruelty.

This action is only open to UK residents.

If you do not live in the UK please visit our take action page for other ways you can help. 

Please share this action via your social networking channels:

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional | Leave a comment »