Why the Tory badger cull is inhumane and ineffective

Albert Einstein once said that the definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Einstein was a man of science.  Sadly, the Tories’ Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is a man who is anti-science.

A man who thought it was a good idea to cull badgers to deal with the problem of TB in cattle. A man who thought it was such a good idea that he started it, was told by an independent expert panel that it wasn’t working and then said he wants to roll it out further anyway.

To be fair, we shouldn’t have high expectations for Mr Paterson’s grasp of science.  After all, he thinks climate change is a good thing. And his grasp of maths isn’t too good either.  The Parliament voted 220-1 against his cull but still he wants to proceed with it – a cull that experts have said is ineffective and inhumane. A cull that dismally failed to meet its targets.  A cull they say will make the problem worse, not better.

Labour understands that Bovine TB is one of the most important issues facing farmers today.  It is a scourge and a threat to their livelihoods and those of the communities they serve.

Sadly, the Tories just don’t get it.

On this issue, like so many, Owen Paterson has put prejudice before science, secrecy before transparency, conflict before consensus and posturing before good policy.

In contrast, Labour’s solution is based on a reasonable, rational and cross-party approach. Working with wildlife groups, farmers and leading scientists we want to take forward an alternative strategy that would focus on badger vaccination and enhanced cattle measures. We have said consistently that the culls are bad for farmers, bad for the taxpayer and bad for our wildlife. And Labour’s concerns are reflected in the views of animal welfare groups and the British Veterinary Association.

We have a genuine interest in eradicating TB in cattle, helping our farmers and protecting our wildlife. Our proposal for an evidence-based, scientific approach is the only way out of the mess the Tories have created.

Maria Eagle is Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs