-
Call for a review into uk Badger CullSome research suggests that only 17 - 26% of badgers carry bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and that badger to cattle transmission of bTB accounts for only 5.7% of badger related bTB incidence in cattle, while cattle to cattle transmission accounts for the remaining 94.3%. There is mounting evidence that the current UK badger cull is not effective in reducing bTB in cattle and may even increase the risk of badger to cattle bTB transmission. Other studies suggest that it may take 3-4 years for effects of badger culling on bTB in cattle to be observed. This makes the recently announced bTB strategy review the perfect opportunity for a review into badger culling which began with pilot culls in 2013. There is also the risk that badger culling could risk already declining hedgehog populations since studies have shown that badger culls may result in increased numbers of red foxes in some areas. This may lead to a reduction in red fox prey species like hedgehogs. References Giesler, R. and Ares, E., 2018. House of Commons Library, Badger Culling in England [pdf] Available at: [Accessed 17 April 2018] Gormley, E., NiBhuachalla, D., O’Keeffe, J., Murphy, D., Aldwell, F.E., Fitzsimons, T., Stanley, P., Tratalos, J.A., McGrath, G., Fogarty, N., Kenny, K., More, S.J., Messam, L.L.McV. and Corner, L.A.L., 2017. Oral Vaccination of Free-Living Badgers (Meles meles) with Bacille Calmette Gue’rin (BCG) Vaccine Confers Protection against Tuberculosis. PLoS ONE, [e-journal] 12(1), e0168851. Available through: Anglia Ruskin University Library website [Accessed 19 April 2018] Donnelly, C.A. and Nouvellet, P., 2013. The Contribution of Badgers to Confirmed Tuberculosis in Cattle in High-Incidence Areas in England. PLoS Currents [e-journal] 5. Available through: Anglia Ruskin University Library website [Accessed 21 April 2018] Godfrey, H.C.J., Donnelly, C.A., Kao, R.R., Macdonald, D.W., McDonald, R.A., Petrokofsky, G., Wood, J.L.N., Woodroffe, R., Young, D.B. and McLean, A.R., 2013. A restatement of the natural science evidence base relevant to the control of bovine tuberculosis in Great Britain. Proceedings. Biological Sciences, [e-journal] 280(1768) pp.16-34. Available through: Anglia Ruskin University Library website [Accessed 20 April 2018] Bielby, J., Donnelly, C.A., Pope, L.C., Burke, T. and Woodroffe, R., 2014. Badger responses to small-scale culling may compromise targeted control of bovine tuberculosis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. [online] 24 June. 111(25), pp.9193-9198. Available through: Anglia Ruskin University Library: [Accessed 3 May 2018] Giesler, R. and Ares, E., 2018. House of Commons Library, Badger Culling in England [pdf] Available at: [Accessed 17 April 2018] Carter, S.P., Delahay, R.J., Smith, G.C., MacDonald, D.W., Riordan, P., Etherington, T.R., Pimley, E.R., Walker, N.J., Cheeseman, C.L., 2007. Culling-induced social perturbation in Eurasian badgers Meles meles and the management of TB in cattle: an analysis of a critical problem in applied ecology. Proceedings. Biological Sciences, [e-journal] 274(1626), pp.2769-2777. Available through: Anglia Ruskin University Library website [Accessed 21 April 2018] Donnelly, C.A., Bento, A.I., Goodchild, A.V., Downs, S.H., 2015. Exploration of the power or routine surveillance data to assess the impacts of industry-led badger culling on bovine tuberculosis incidence in cattle herds. Veterinary Record [online] 15 September. Available through: Anglia Ruskin University Library website [Accessed 25 April 2018] 6. Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, 2018. Policy paper, Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) strategy review 2018: Terms of reference. [online] Available at: [Accessed 1 May 2018] Casanovas, J.G., Barrull, J., Mate, I., Zorrilla, J.M., Ruiz-Olmo, J., Gosalbez, J., Salicru, M., 2012. Shaping carnivore communities by predator control: competitor release revisited. Ecological Research. [e-journal] 27(3), pp.603-614. Available through: Anglia Ruskin University Library website [Accessed 11 April 2018] Lozano, J., Casanovas, J.G., Vigos, E. and Zorrilla, J.M., 2013. The competitor release effect applied to carnivore species: how red foxes can increase in numbers when persecuted. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation. [e-journal] 36(1), pp.37-47. Available through: Anglia Ruskin University Library website [Accessed 11 April 2018] Caut, S., Casanovas, J.G., Virgos, E., Lozano, J., Witimer, G.W., Courchamp, F., 2007. Rats dying for mice: Modelling the competitor release effect. Austral Ecology. [e-journal] 32(8), pp.858-868, Available through: Anglia Ruskin University Library website [Accessed 28 April 2018] Hof, A. and Bright, P., 2016. Quantifying the long-term decline of the West European hedgehog in England by subsampling citizen-science datasets. European Journal of Wildlife Research, [e-journal] 62(4), pp.407-413. Available through: Anglia Ruskin University Library website [Accessed 6 January 2018]84 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Rachel Evans
-
End Biffa's ineffective recycling contract early!It will improve the local areas waste collection and recycling service which are currently unreliable and expensive compared to previous contractors.25 of 100 SignaturesCreated by James Watson
-
Save Meadowbank - People before Private ProfiteersCurrently there are 2 planning applications, one is full planning application for the redevelopment of the new downsized stadium whilst the other application is pre planning proposal that involves the selling off off and using the surrounding surplus land to build student accommodation, hotels and 360+ flats. Only a minority being 'affordable housing'. The development will involve the loss of 150+ mature healthy trees including very rare healthy Wheatley Elms, which the Council has spent millions over the years caring for, and green spaces. All of this will have a detrimental effect on local residents and the wider Edinburgh community for numerous reasons e.g. health, community cohesion, environment. The consultation in 2016 was inadequate and the recent planning application notification list was distributed to approximately 450 homes. While this may be legal, it is inadequate and undermines the Scottish Government policies which push for more community engagement. Local residents and the wider Edinburgh communities deserve to be made aware that they are losing an international sports centre due to sustained and constant lack of Council’s investment and for the sake of private developers’ profit. The proposed redevelopment will not meet the needs of all the current service users.31 of 100 SignaturesCreated by D Burn
-
Protect forests from commercial exploitationForests are a crucial habitat for wildlife. Britain has the lowest amount of woodland per acre of anywhere in Europe; we should be protecting our forests, not building holiday parks in them. More information: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/27/privatisation-forests-forestry-commission-commercial-development6 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Julie Howe
-
20 mph for residential roads in Epsom & EwellWe have a nursery in our local church at the end of our road. Our road is used as a cut through to get to Chessington Road, hence we get lots of speeding cars down our road. Our kitten was hit by one of these cars last week and we are devastated as he sadly died. We need to do something, although we cannot bring him back. Which is why I am starting this petition.6 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Jen Mitchell
-
Making Epping forest a national parkThe campaign which is to help protect the areas of southern england as locations for all wildlife and heritage which is historical promoting around the world as prime site of different habitants,29 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Paul hayden
-
Remove all Unnecessary Plastic Packaging in SupermarketsIf we don't act soon with the plastic problem then its only going to get harder. we need to sort this out now and fast.14 of 100 SignaturesCreated by william lock
-
Kent - The Rubbish Dump of England (formerly known as The Garden of England)The rubbish and litter situation along the A2 between Canterbury and Dover is now out of control and a national and local disgrace. The problem has been escalating year on year and is now totally unacceptable potentially endangering the health of the public with bottles of urine being thrown from vehicles on to the roadside. The valiant efforts of volunteers are now at its limit and the situation overwhelming and fraught with danger trying to stem the tide of defecation being heaped on to this our beautiful countryside. Canterbury City Council, Kent County Council, Highways England and various other authorities have all been made aware of this appalling situation by outraged residents and despite the constant stream of concern and level of complaint raised, there appears nothing is being done to properly address the situation and find a solution and deterrent to it. This has got to stop and this petition calls upon all those in authority to act accordingly and bring an end to this intolerable blight on our lives.112 of 200 SignaturesCreated by Patricia Rice
-
The Government should implement a near-zero CO2 plan now.Historically the UK has produced 10% of the world's man made CO2 emissions and we can, and should, take the lead in eliminating these emissions. We allow "venting" (the cleaning process) of conventional power stations even though we know it will kill the old, young and infirm. Other methods of pollution are also unhealthy. If our generation do not clear up the mess, then it could be too late for the next generation to do so. Paying for all of this by eliminating the scourge of mental illness is a great way of funding for such a big plan. A near-zero CO2 economy would also be self-sufficient, which would be a strategic asset, and a soil improver.9 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Andy Kadir-Buxton
-
Recycle pet food packaging in HackneyIf you feed your pet food from pouches, you'll know how many they can get through. As my kitten grew bigger and hungrier, I was shocked to find that these pouches were not recycled. But the technology exists to recycle them. This plastic aluminium laminate packaging is increasingly used by manufacturers because it is cheap and uses much less energy to produce and transport than other packaging, but it is going into landfill at the rate of thousands of tonnes annually, because very few councils recycle it. The recycling process produces high grade aluminium as well as oil from the plastic. In Hackney, more than £33,000 worth of aluminium a year is ending up in landfill unnecessarily, from these pet food pouches alone. If Hackney is really serious about being a green borough, let's lead the way in getting this packaging recycled. It is possible!66 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Emma Marshall
-
END GLUE TRAPSNo animal deserves to die a slow and agonising death with very unnecessary suffering. Glue traps are also indescriminate - they can trap loved pets and wildlife that was not under target.8 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Jan Fairhurst
-
Recycle ALL plastic sold in our local areaI live in Leeds and only the plastics marked 1, 2 and 4 are recycled. I and many others want to recycle all plastics as around 50% of our grey bins are filled with plastics that the council will not accept. This is unsustainable and needs to be stopped.12 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Jo Dawson
Hello! We use cookies to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. Find out more.