Hilary Benn responds to questions over badger cull

[treaclecarp]

just thought i would check the figures that have been quoted reference southern ireland in 1998 confirmed tb cases 45000 in 2003 28000 in 2006 down to 24000,the disease incidence in herds have dropped from 8.2 per 100 in 2000 to 6 per 100 in 2006 ,all figures can be checked with the southern ireland government

[endoftheaffair]

In S. Ireland on the other hand they went for badger culling - and have now eliminated badgers from around 1/3 of their land surface area. And guess what? The percentage of TB in the cattle herds within the same area is virtually the same (less than 1% difference) after 16 years of culling. Is that your idea of 'fixing the problem'?? The ISG trials in the UK lasted 10 years...and concluded 'badger culling has no meaningful contribution to make to TB control in the UK'. But you know better??

[endoftheaffair]

Sorry but I think you have a problem with the use of the English language. Not the slightest contradiction in anything I've said. Suggest you look up meaning of the word 'problematic'. As for backtracking...one minute you say you support organic farming, next you say farmers have no choice but to farm intensively! In Cumbria they've reduced TB by 49% without killing a single badger (announced 3 weeks ago) - same as Northern Ireland. (49% reduction since 2003).

[larasa007]

i really do believe in organic and i only buy from local organic farmers , beef or veggies. But its very hard for an organic farmer to compete with the "Intensive farming " because most buyers just care about price. Your saying that badger culling has no effect on TB ? Well then i don't know what the solution is, I really don't ! Yes i am in school in the U.S but most of my time was spend in Devon and farmers who have to work so hard, breaks my heart to see them going through a tough time.

[endoftheaffair]

Could you tell me where I say either that I'm a vegetarian (irrelevant to what we're discussing here) OR that wildlife CAN'T get/pass on a disease? ANY mammal can pass TB to any other mammal. What we're talking about here is RESPONSIBILITY for the PROBLEMATIC spread of diseases now (including but by no means only, TB) among DOMESTIC animals and it is the modern farming industry that quite obviously has responsibility. Why support organic farming if you don't think intensive farming is flawed?

[larasa007]

Hmmm self contradiction is not a desired virtue. Why you seem to be back tracking? you last statement you clearly stated and i quote you " Intensive farming lead to the spread of disease - it's a coward's way out to blame wildlife". I gave you tons of examples. Why do i like my fruits, vegetables and MEAT organic? I don't believe in chemicals and pesticides for crops, and i do believe that are animals should be drug free and ethic and humane treated farm animals, and supporting our local farmer

[larasa007]

Also farmers don't have a choice if they are to survive, with market prices the way they are they have to "intensive farming" to make a profit there is no option, people always look for the best price, and not willing to pay the extra amount for non "intensive farming" method. as far as " PROBLEMATIC spread of diseases" means nothing "problematic" thats like saying you knee surgery cos you will have problematic knee problems one day. lets fix the problem now and do culling before its to late.

[endoftheaffair]

Why do farmers think they can ignore the facts, the science and their own responsibility and just keep baying for a cull? Hilary Benn is intelligent and brave - standing up to bullying by the farmers' unions and looking at the science as to what will actually BE EFFECTIVE!! Unusual integrity for a politician. I have a plant nursery - if we get a disease problem we acknowledge our own responsibility and deal with it ourselves - we don't wipe out native species, and imagine the outcry if we did!

[larasa007]

Hilary Benn is intelligent and brave? Only thing he cares about is filling his pockets with money while the farmers suffer and lose their livelihood, yeah some intelligence that requires

[endoftheaffair]

Wow the standard of debate here really says it all! "Filling his pockets with money...etc etc" - exactly what's that got to do with badger culling? Do you have any proper arguments? How about answering my point re responsibility for disease? And being a vegetarian is some sort of crime is it?? Would be funny if it weren't so tragic..Read the writing on the wall! Intensive farming lead to the spread of disease - it's a coward's way out to blame wildlife that's been around longer than us.

[larasa007]

end, your a vegetarian that's fine i respect that. I love my meat and won't change. said that i am also a strong believer in Organic farming. Did you know that there was a few organic farmers that had Tb in their cattle too? So let me get this straight? You say that wildlife doesn't spread disease??? Hmmm i can think of the black plague, Bubonic plague ,rabies,Lyme disease, Hanta virus just to name a few . But i guess you know better because you saying wildlife doesn't spread disease.

[philstew123]

idiot

[treaclecarp]

no hilary benn is a liar he is also a vegetarian his father tony is lauded by the animal rights group animal aid from vale road tonbridge in kent some of thier staff have convictions for violence towards hunt followers

[maidenscroft]

cull badgers now, they are spreading in too many numbers. my cattle have become infected. l cannot survive as a farmer and will have to split and sell my land unless something is done now. this winter will be too late.

[imangrynow]

V good hw would make a great PM straight down the line you know wher you are with him and he's practical.