Evidence on badgers not conclusive

LETTER - It has been brought to our attention that the Welsh Assembly has taken a decision to organise the mass culling of badgers as a means of dealing with bovine TB in cattle.

One of the many reasons that can be put forward to suggest there have to be serious doubts about both the practicality and the ethics of cull policy is that there is no conclusive evidence to substantiate the theory that badgers can be isolated as the source of the infection.

Has sufficient consideration been given to the fact that badgers are not the only creatures to be found where cattle are grazing?

We have every sympathy with the need for farmers to protect their cattle from TB, but feel that more research needs to be done before taking the environmentally questionable step of causing the potential extinction of a species.

Hopefully, the many wildlife organisations in the UK and people who share concerns about this policy will make clear their objection to the proposed cull, and reject any proposal to extend the slaughter of badgers beyond the Welsh borders.

Diana Clarke, Little Wenlock; Neil Clarke, Little Wenlock; Betty Morgan, Coalbrookdale: David Morgan, Coalbrookdale