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Badgerwatch (Ireland) is calling on Environment Minister, Mr. John Gormley, for an immediate halt to the killing of badgers for their alleged role in the spread of bovine TB. Latest figures released by the Department of Agriculture (DAFF) shows that almost 7,000 badgers were slaughtered by Department trappers in 2008. Ironically, close on 30,000 ’reactor’ cattle failed to pass the TB skin test for the same period indicating a rise in TB levels over the previous six years. In the last decade more than 50,000 badgers have been killed by DAFF in what has been described as "Slaughter masquerading as Science". Bernie Barrett, National Co-ordinator, Badgerwatch (Ireland) expressed horror at these latest figures. She said that “This appalling slaughter of almost 7,000 badgers is simple unacceptable. It is a nothing less then a state approved brutal pogrom against badgers. Badgerwatch (Ireland) is calling on Minister Gormley, whose own Department issues the licence to snare and kill badgers, to honour his commitment to the animal. Failure to act will result in further slaughter and serious decimation of the badger population already under threat from other sources. End Further Information: Bernadette Barrett, National Co-ordinator Badgerwatch (Ireland) T: 051-373876 MB: 087-9394096 barrettb@gofree.indigo.ie Web: www.badgerwatch.ie Information: Badgerwatch (Ireland) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to Badgers We are actively involved in Badger conservation and badger welfare issues. |