NFU attacks RSPCA over badger warning

The National Farmers' Union has said the RSPCA 'overstepped the mark' over comments made about 'naming and shaming' people involved in the badger cull.

The RSPCA's comments were made by its Chief Executive Gavin Grant on Monday night's Panroama broadcast.

"The spotlight of attention will be turned on those marksmen and on those who give permission for this cull to take place. They will be named and we will decide as citizens of this country whether they will be shamed" said Grant.

But NFU Director of Policy Martin Haworth said: "With these comments the RSPCA’s Chief Executive Gavin Grant has overstepped the mark and in doing so confirmed our worst fears that the RSPCA is no longer a responsible organisation with animal welfare at its core."

"Mr Grant has actively encouraged people to identify farmers and those carrying out the badger cull pilots next year without a thought for their safety, their family’s safety or the security of their homes."

"This is tantamount to inciting a campaign of fear and intimidation which I find wholly unacceptable and completely irresponsible."

The RSPCA Chief Executive said of the recent delay in the English badger cull programme: "Science, the public and MPs from all parties had said very clearly that a cull is no answer to bovine TB"

"The RSPCA stands ready to play a full part working with farmers, land owners, Government and conservationists to move forward rapidly and constructively to tackle this dire disease in cattle and wildlife."

The RSPCA said: "Those agreeing with us in opposing the pilot badger culls - which include leading scientists and the vast majority of the public - should do so by lawful and peaceful means only."

"We are eager to work constructively with farmers, land owners, scientific experts, the Government and the European Commission to tackle bovine TB in cattle and wildlife through vaccination and enhanced biosecurity."

"It is sad that the NFU preference is to continue last Summer's "war of words" rather than joining in with this more constructive approach."

But 34,000 cattle were slaughtered because of TB in Great Britain in 2011.

"Rather than encouraging the targeting of farmers, the RSPCA would do better to focus its efforts on animal welfare across the board" Haworth warned.

"The majority of experts all agree, a badger vaccination programme in isolation won’t solve this TB crisis, and a cattle vaccine is still years away. In all its rhetoric, the RSPCA has failed to come up with a single workable solution to dealing with this terrible disease.”

The RSPCA replied to FarmingUK with a statement that read;

"Gavin Grant and the RSPCA have consistently, repeatedly and unreservedly condemned harassment, intimidation or threats of violence to or by anyone involved in the Bovine TB debate.

Those agreeing with us in opposing the pilot badger culls - which include leading scientists and the vast majority of the public - should do so by lawful and peaceful means only.

We are eager to work constructively with farmers, land owners, scientific experts, the Government and the European Commission to tackle bovine TB in cattle and wildlife through vaccination and enhanced biosecurity.

It is sad that the NFU preference is to continue last Summer's "war of words" rather than joining in with this more constructive approach."