The National Farmers Union is calling for a mass cull of badgers, on the grounds that they spread tuberculosis amongst cattle. But there is no good evidence to support this massacre. Very few badgers are actually infected with bovine TB. The source is more likely to be commercial cattle.

In Victorian times, tuberculosis flourished in poor neighbourhoods of malnourished and stressed people. Now, there are similar conditions in the overcrowded, unpleasant cattle sheds in which cows are forced to live. This is bound to cause the spread of infectious disease. But the farmers deny that cattle-to-cattle transmission of TB is possible – probably because it would force them to improve the conditions in which they keep their livestock.

Badgers are a protected species. The RSPCA opposes the cull, saying that it will disrupt badgers' social groups, territorial structure and behaviour. It may also result in more movement of the remaining animals, which, if they are infected, would just exacerbate the spread of TB.

Farmers are bound to want this cull – thousands of cattle have to be slaughtered every year because of tuberculosis, losing the farmers money. But their reaction may be motivated more by desperation than by reason. By the same token, the group of vets who petitioned the government in support of the cull are mostly based in the South West, the region worst affected by bovine tuberculosis.

These farmers and vets are understandably concerned about the serious problem of bovine tuberculosis. But they are lashing out at an easy target – badgers – without considering the evidence.

Culling is not the only solution. Luckily, the government is not bowing to the demands of the farmers, but is taking a step back and considering all the options in light of proper scientific evidence. But pressure from the farmers must be matched by pressure from those of us who care about animal welfare. Visit The Badger Trust [1] to find out more and to register your opposition.