Member News
17th October 2012The RSPCA has said it is “delighted” that the Backbench Business Committee has allowed a debate next week on the badger cull.
The committee heard a submission from MPs Alison McGovern, Caroline Lucas, Henry Smith and Mike Weatherley yesterday calling for a debate and vote on the issue.
Three hours has been allocated for debate next Thursday, 25 October.
A record 100,000 signatures were gathered against plans to shoot badgers in just two weeks and the number has now grown to more than 150,000.
RSPCA chief executive Gavin Grant said:
“We welcome this debate with open arms and hope that finally there will be a chance for the badgers' voices to be heard.
“This cull is a huge mistake and in persisting along this misguided path the government is ignoring both science and the public – who could not have made their feelings clearer.
“Studies have shown it will be of little help in controlling TB [tuberculosis] in cattle and could even make things worse in some areas. Thousands of badgers, many of them healthy, will be wiped out needlessly.
“Let's hope that this debate gives us a chance to put a stop to this slaughter once and for all.”
Ms Lucas, a Green MP, told the backbench committee that vaccination of cattle could be a better way of eradicating bovine TB.