As the unscientific and reactionary badger cull starts in England, members of the Scottish Wildlife Trust are being encouraged to voice their opposition by signing an e-petition.
Allan Bantick, Chairman of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “Science has shown that culling will not prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis. In fact, such a cull could actually make things worse by spreading the disease to an even wider badger and cattle population.
“The Scottish Wildlife Trust instead advocates more research into developing a badger and cattle vaccination programme – a solution that has science and compassion on its side.”
Roger Mortlock, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, the first non-governmental organisation to launch such a badger vaccination programme, said:
“The focus on free shooting badgers at the expense of other solutions to eradicating bovine TB is polarising communities in Gloucestershire.
“We've invested in badger vaccination to demonstrate that there is another way. We believe this approach could easily be scaled up and are keen to work with local landowners looking for an alternative to culling.”