May speaks out on badger ruling

Friday 13th July 2012

Queen guitarist and animal rights advocate Brian May has spoken out after a High Court bid to halt the culling of thousands of badgers failed.

May describes Government plans to cull thousands of badgers in the hope of reducing tuberculosis in cattle as entirely unethical.

His comments come after after The Badger Trust lost its judicial review of the government's plans in the High Court on July 12.

Mr Justice Ouseley upheld as lawful Government proposals for two pilot culls, one in West Gloucestershire and the other in West Somerset. The controversial scheme could eventually lead to culling in up to 10 areas.

May, who founded Save Me animal welfare campaign, said: "We are obviously very disappointed with this decision, though we realise that it was made purely on points of law. The issue is not closed.

"We still regard the Government's plan to destroy thousands of native badger families as entirely unethical, scientifically unsound, contrary to public opinion, and, ultimately, bound to fail.

"We will continue to fight against this cruel and hopeless cull, and for decent treatment of the precious wild animals of Britain."

May started the Save Me campaign in 2010 to provide a focus for people and organisations fighting repeal of hunting with dogs legislation in England and Wales and the proposed badger cull in England and Wales. It is named after the 1978 Queen hit, which May penned.

The High Court ruling was welcomed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the National Farmers Union, the British Veterinary Association and British Cattle Veterinary Association.

Badger Trust chairman David Williams said: "Despite a constant stream of evidence that culling will make matters worse and growing consternation from many farmers, the coalition Government intends to press ahead with its expensive and pointless policy."

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