AS A response to the ongoing tragedy of TB in cattle, the government has announced its intention to carry out badger culls in two pilot areas, followed by a wider cull if successful. One of the pilots is to be in the Forest of Dean area.

Unfortunately, the cull isn't based on clear scientific evidence and yet it threatens this most iconic of Gloucestershire mammals. Worse still, evidence suggests a cull may exacerbate the spread of bTB in cattle and this will go on and on. There is significant independent scientific evidence available to show that culling will not work.

The Government plan is for Natural England to issue licences for the free shooting of badgers at night time, when they are active. This is incredibly dangerous as the bullets used can travel for up to three miles if they miss their target, putting people, pets, livestock and other wildlife in danger.

There have been previous night shooting accidents, one in which a disorientated marksman tragically shot and killed his stepson.

Given that the Government is refusing to announce exactly where and when the shooting will take place this is a recipe for disaster. There is a real concern that the leisure and tourism industries in the local area will suffer because of the cull and the safety issues surrounding it. More positively, groups such as the National Trust and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust are working hard to vaccinate badgers rather than culling.

Hundreds of concerned local people are now working hard to stop the cull by doing things such as refusing culling on their land. If enough land is 'locked out' this will make a Forest cull impractical, allowing further work on the vaccination of badgers and the better management of the wider issue around this terrible disease.

Please ensure that Forest of Dean District Council makes public safety and the care of our wildlife a priority and vote to refuse to allow culling on land owned, managed or controlled by the Council.

– Drew Pratten, Blakeney.