“Due to the over population of humans,the animals have fewer places to live,it is our fault and we persecute our wildlife. It would be justified if the animals decided it was us who need culling.”

“Michael, why don't you think before you type? Foxes, hedgehogs, squirrels, cats, etc all get killed on our roads. You suggesting that we get rid of all those animals as well? Not a dairy farmer by any chance are you, because if you are then you should be used to the smell of bloated animals!”

“Will the WAG bring in gassing once they have a go-ahead to do a cull. Peter Kendall, the NFU England president wants to bring back gassing here. He said gassing is his preferred method, and that it was Jim Paice'S preferred method. They would have to overcome the in-humanness of gassing, so more work would needed to be done.”

“badgers are a menace. they run into the roads, get knocked down and their bloated carcases spend weeks in hot summery weather stinking to high heaven. get rid of them !”

“Scientists and others all over the world are closely monitoring the debate over the badger cull, as well as efforts by DEFRA and others to allow the inhumane treatement of animals in the U.K. To be well informed on this issue is to look to proven science for the control and eradication of bTB. Time and again, killing animals thought to transmit the disease will never, ever reduce or eliminate the disease. Vaccination, control of access to cattle feed and a whole host of additional, humane methods have proven, world-wide, to manage bTB. I do not understand why the leaders in the UK, including DEFRA, continue to close their eyes and pretend none of this proven science exists! Or, even more stunning, that they continue to ignore the wishes of their constituency!”

“Once again I am amazed a the hypocrasy of the RSPCA. They profess to be concerned for the badgers, yet will cull tens of thousands of needy pets without hesitation. (Case of ten GSDs shot by the RSPCA in Wales) But of course the badger cull is high profile and emotive and will result in further donations from well meaning people. It is a shame the money goes to HQ, it never reaches the rescue centres, these have to be self funding despite carrying the logo and are desperate for funds to feed and rehome the animals whilst the fat cats at the top earn very large salaries and pensions. I do not know enough about badgers and TB yet to comment on the rights and wrongs of a cull, however the proclamations made by the RSPCA do not convince me, I want clear facts and supportable information, not boasts about the numbers against this.”

“The NFU is running a witch hunt against badgers. There is little or no evidence that a cull would help the TB problem, in fact it may very well make matters worse by disrupting any diseased animals and causing them to travel to new areas. The NFU is trying to brainwash people into blaming wildlife for the problem whereas the finger of blame for the extent of the trouble should be pointed elsewhere, perhaps at the lack of adequate advice given by the NFU years ago regarding bovine TB disease control. Are the NFU now trying to create a common enemy to make themselves look better?”

“The NFU are running a witch hunt against badgers. There is little or no evidence to suggest a cull may help the TB problem, in fact there is a greater chance that the small number of infected animals will be disrupted by the activity and take any disease to new areas. The NFU are brainwashing their membership, I do hope most farmers are smart enough to see what the NFU are up to.”

“The RSPCA are merely reflecting what most of the public feel. Thank God they have the resources and will to do so.
The (rich and powerful) farming unions are trying to bully their way to a cull, in the face - not only of public opinion - but of all the evidence.
And I WISH people like Ian Johnson above would stop claiming that people who oppose a cull are
"well-meaning people without full knowledge of what goes on in the wildlife of the countryside and with no direct contact with the disease and the turmoil and tumult it causes."

I live in the country, I know what goes on and yes I do have direct contact with farms with TB breakdowns. And yes OF COURSE I want to help but a badger cull WON'T HELP. Vaccination and improved cattle control and testing measures will!
People are against a cull because they know, not because they don't know.”

“That the NFU are using the "X Factor" word shows that they have a good press office, as linking to the X Factor is a way of getting coverage they otherwise would not have.

And it's not just the RSPCA that is trying to get numbers up. At a recent meeting in the Westcountry, Peter Kendall the NFU president told all the assembled farmers to get "everyone" replying to the consultation. "You, your own family, your friends, people who work for you, people who provide services for you and even bloke you know in the pub".

However, it will be the quality of the replies that will count, not the number. And I commend the response of the Mammal Society. Go to www.mammal.org.uk/ and click on their home page.”