Course:CONS200/2023WT1/Influence of celebrities on the public’s stance on the badger cull in the UK and implications for farming

Background information

Image English badger

The English badger, scientifically known as Meles meles, is a medium-sized, nocturnal badger-like animal distinguished by its striking face pattern, black-and-white fur, and strong digging prowess. Their primary habitats are farms, meadows, and woodlands. They eat fruit, insects, and small mammals.Because they regulate insect populations, encourage soil tillage, preserve ecological balance, and mark territories, British badgers are vital members of the biosphere that have a favorable impact on farms and natural environments. Because badgers are a part of the pelagic food chain, their existence affects the behavior and distribution of other species of creatures, which contributes to biodiversity preservation ( Woodlandtrust 2017).

However, the history of badgers in Britain and the events associated with their culling is a complex subject. Bovine tuberculosis in the UK is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis that primarily affects cattle and poses a serious threat to the economics of the livestock industry and cattle farming.Mycobacterium bovis infection is the primary cause of bovine tuberculosis, according to analysis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis has caused infectious epidemics, and the virus can spread from sick cattle to healthy animals or people in the community. In addition to infecting cattle, Mycobacterium bovis is capable of causing disease in other primates, pigs, sheep and other organisms. Infected cows disperse the bacteria in the air through the production of droplets, and other healthy animals become infected by breathing the contaminated air. The health of humans can also be at risk from bovine tuberculosis as it can be contracted by inhaling aerosols carrying bacteria or consuming unpasteurized milk containing germs. An essential component of the successful management of human tuberculosis is bovine tuberculosis.And with bovine TB having cost the British taxpayer around £500 million over the past decade, the government claims that failure to act will not only harm the livestock industry but also the country's economy.

Measures to prevent the transmission of bovine tuberculosis include regular testing, quarantine and culling of infected cattle. The most controversial topic involves the culling of wildlife such as badgers, which can transmit bovine TB from its source, an ethical and moral issue that concerns the lives of animals as well as the protection of the environment.Instead of just shooting badgers to stop the disease from spreading, new vaccines and methods in monoculture are being developed to enhance the environment and lessen the spread of bovine TB. Secondly, it is possible to change people's minds regarding badger culling by using British celebrities to spread cutting edge scientific facts.

However, the link between the history of badgers in the UK and rinderpest outbreaks has sparked new controversy.

Historical traceability of bovine tuberculosis to badgers

During the 2001 bovine tuberculosis outbreak, some studies suggested that badgers could be the spreaders of the outbreak, as they could contract and spread the disease. This led some farmers and government departments to support the culling of badgers to reduce the risk of spread. However, the method and legality of badger culling has sparked widespread controversy.Animal protection organizations and some scientists have argued that culling badgers is not necessarily effective in controlling rinderpest outbreaks and may harm badger populations. They have proposed other methods, such as veterinary injections, as alternatives for controlling the outbreak (Nature Communications 2015).

In addition, badger culling has sparked controversy over animal rights and ethical issues concerning how to balance the need to protect wildlife with the need to safeguard agricultural interests.The impact of celebrities on society is again far-reaching and multilayered. Their words, deeds, achievements and influence can lead the evolution of social values and shape cultural and social progress. Celebrities are often widely noted and evaluated for their behaviors and statements, and they play an indispensable role in shaping societal values, promoting change and influencing policymaking.

To prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis, the badger cull in England was divided into two groups. Supporters and protesters, with the National Farmers' Union of Great Britain continuing to campaign despite the protests of opponents against the badger cull. Supporters call the cull a necessary measure to organize the spread of badgers carrying bovine TB, but opponents say the practice is inhumane and ineffective. However, there is currently no fully effective vaccine to stop the spread of bovine TB in the UK, so it is now necessary for the UK to work on both cattle and badgers to prevent the spread.

Scale of the badger cull in the UK

Current remedial actions

The UK's badger cull has a multi-decade history that began with bovine tuberculosis (bTB) worries. A large investigation called the Krebs Trials was conducted in the 1990s to determine how badger culling affected the spread of bTB to cattle. The topic attracted political attention when a badger culling programme was suggested in 2007 as part of attempts to reduce bTB. But in the following decades, arguments about the morality and science of badger culling became more heated, and in 2011, experimental programs to kill badgers were launched in Somerset and Gloucestershire.

In 2013, the government extended the culling program to other regions, causing much controversy due to significant resistance from animal welfare and conservation groups. There were further demonstrations and legal challenges when the badger cull was extended in 2018. The main reason behind the slaughter has been the belief that badgers are responsible for spreading bTB to cattle, which may negatively affect the health of the animals and result in financial losses for producers. Public opinion has become divided over the contentious topic; some view culling as an essential disease management technique, while others choose more alternative approaches like vaccination.

Vaccination, not culling, should be the main strategy employed to combat this illness, according to several wildlife trusts. In multiple captive experimental experiments as well as a four-year field research conducted in Gloucestershire, the effects of injecting badger vaccine have been assessed. These studies offer strong evidence for the positive outcomes of BCG vaccination; even if immunization does not ensure immunity from infection—some badgers may still get the disease. Vaccination lowers the chance that badgers may have lesions or excrete TB germs. It also reduces the incidence of new infections in badgers by 76%. Moreover, immunizing more than one-third of the adults in a badger social group lowers the probability of new diseases in unvaccinated badger cubs by 79%. Actually, there is a six-month open season for badger vaccinations from May 1 to November 30 each year. Only 2434 badgers in England received vaccinations in 2022 from authorized personnel.

Moreover, there is no indication that the badger cull will halt anytime soon. In large parts of England, badger populations are being decimated to extinction. The government's official goal is to eradicate between 70% and 90% of badgers in each cull region and in the majority of the UK's southwest. 143,241 badgers, or 25%–37% of the projected badger population in the UK, were killed between 2013 and 2020. An estimated, 280,000 badgers, 48%–72% of the total badger population in the UK, are expected to be killed between 2013 and 2025. It is notable that the English badger cull is a massive operation covering the entire region from Cornwall to Cumbria. (The picture: the scale of the badger cull in the UK) There are currently 72 active regions, and the number and rate of killings have increased in recent years. There are still many complicated and divisive issues concerning the badger cull, which impacts UK farming methods and animal protection.

Celebrities influence on culling

With complicated issues, including agricultural, ecological, ethical, and political concerns, the badger cull continues to be a very divisive topic in the UK. The impact of celebrities on public opinion and their ability to promote alternative strategies for controlling tuberculosis in cattle has been a major topic of discussion. The badger cull has a long history in the UK when worries about bovine tuberculosis (TB) in cattle raised the possibility that badgers may be a disease reservoir. Cattle and badgers may compete for resources like food and space, particularly in regions where their habitats are shared. Competition is sometimes a direct threat but could result in resource conflicts. With the apparent goal of stopping the spread of bovine TB, the UK government started experimenting with badger culls in 2010 and expanded to additional areas. The cull caused a great deal of controversy and sparked demonstrations and legal challenges—public opinion plays a crucial role in shaping the policies. The UK's badger cull is a dynamic topic involving a wide range of players, including politicians, farmers, celebrities, and animal rights advocates. Their words about animals' rights can push the government and the politicians to reconsider the effect of killing badgers and move them to make new plans for controlling bovine TB.

In terms of those stakeholders, celebrities have a notable impact on public opinion regarding the badger cull in the UK, primarily by raising awareness, mobilizing support, and influencing the views of their followers and fans. Naturalist, broadcaster, and advocate for wildlife protection is Chris Packham. He has utilized his position to spread awareness of the effects on animals and has been a vocal opponent of the badger cull. He has joined environmental organizations in denouncing the move to expand badger culling into 11 additional English regions. Even though the administration claimed culling would hasten the disease's eradication. Chris Packham stated: "The badger cull is not the answer to stopping the spread of bovine TB amongst cattle." Culling is inefficient and harsh. In addition, extending culling might drive the species "to the verge of extinction" in certain locations, according to the Badger Trust, which stated that the majority of badgers being killed were TB-free.

Celebrities can help raise awareness about a problem the public is unaware of or does not completely comprehend. And can also utilize their financial resources and connections to support charitable organizations and causes. This has the potential to contribute substantial funding for advocacy, research, and conservation endeavors. For example, Brian May, Queen's lead guitarist, is an outspoken supporter of animal rights and a vociferous opponent of the badger cull. In 2012, he launched the "Save Me" campaign to prevent the badger cull and advocate alternate methods of combating bovine tuberculosis (TB). May's notoriety and media presence raised awareness about the cull's impact on badgers and agriculture. His initiative gained extensive media coverage and endorsements from other celebrities, increasing attention to the issue. Discussions over striking a balance between conservation, animal welfare, and the interests of the agricultural community are reflected in the debate around the cull.

Implications for farming

The implications of badger culling for farming can vary depending on the specific context and region. In the short term, culling can be a way to protect farming, but not in the long term.

Badger culling did decrease the rate of the disease. There is a potential to reduce the transmission of bTB to livestock, thereby protecting the health and productivity of farm animals. Bovine tuberculosis can have significant economic consequences for farmers, including the loss of infected animals, trade restrictions, and increased testing and biosecurity costs. If badger culling effectively reduces bTB transmission, it may help alleviate these economic burdens for farmers. Address the argument that badger culling may not be a sustainable solution. Badger culling is just one component of a comprehensive bTB control strategy, which also includes improved biosecurity measures, vaccination programs, and testing protocols. Emphasize that badger culling is implemented alongside these measures to achieve the most effective and long-lasting reduction in bTB occurrence. If badgers disappear, the food chain will be damaged.

Culling badger does not have a substantial impact on the effective reduction of the rates for bTB. In December 2005, there is a preliminary analysis of the RBCT data about In December 2005, a preliminary analysis of the RBCT data about proactive culling. After culling badgers in one area, the rate of bTB was reduced by 19% in this area but the rate of bTB increased by 29% in an area 2km away from the experiment area because culling will affect the behavior of the badger, causing them to gather, which increased the rates of been infected. Bovine TB: The Scientific Evidence" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 October 2008. This experiment causes us to think that killing violently may not be the best way for farming. Active removal of pests and diseases in farming may not necessarily lead to eradication. What is a better solution then? There are two methods were proposed.

The better solutions for both badgers and cattle

Increase the biodiversity of certain ecological environments.

Biodiversity can be increased by the natural control of pests by providing alternative food for natural enemies and increasing the variety and number of natural enemies through plant mutualism and variation in the amount of food available to natural enemies; this is because monocultures encourage the rapid development of those pests that are suited to the environment due to the provision of highly concentrated resources and uniform ecological conditions.

Monocultures provide highly concentrated resources and various ecological conditions that encourage the rapid development of those pests that are suited to the environment. In terms of monocultures do not provide enough abundance of food and breeding and sheltering sites for natural enemies, resulting in a reduction of natural enemies. Increasing the diversity of crops is not only beneficial to organic agriculture but is also a major factor in the development of pests in the environment. Crops diversities not only benefit pest control, crop disease, and weed control but also play a significant role in improving the nutritional level of the plants. Organic agriculture diversified planting can also cut off the food chain and nutrient supply of pathogenic bacteria, to avoid excessive accumulation of pathogenic bacteria and lead to crop root organic agriculture pests and diseases. Diversified planting of organic agriculture includes crop rotation, mixed cropping, intercropping, setting up field isolation zones, and planting of non-crops and other forms of diversified planting including time and space in two ranges.

The time mainly refers to the reasonable crop planting rotation and sowing, harvesting time changes in the selection of space for a variety of crops, and different varieties of composite planting in the field to consciously set up the insect habitat zones.

Strengthen the announcement of scientific methods and knowledge.

Through the collaboration of celebrities and researchers, the appeal of celebrities can be utilized to spread knowledge to the general public so that good methods can be used by more ordinary people. For example, there could be lectures where celebrities and researchers talk, and television programs of this type, making the celebrities and the science researchers face to face. It is crucial to communicate the announcement in a clear, transparent, and respectful manner, ensuring that the information is accessible to the target audience. For example, sharing all the details of the related researchers with the public.

Vaccination programs

The primary objective of the bTB vaccination program is to protect cattle and other susceptible animals from contracting and spreading the disease. By administering vaccines, the program aims to stimulate the immune system, enabling animals to develop immunity against bTB. This, in turn, reduces the risk of transmission and helps control the disease's prevalence.

There are two main types of vaccines used in bTB vaccination programs: the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine and DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) vaccines. The BCG vaccine, originally developed for human tuberculosis, has shown efficacy in reducing bTB infection in cattle. DIVA vaccines allow for the differentiation between vaccinated and infected animals, aiding in disease surveillance and control efforts. Vaccination programs can also be extended to wildlife, such as badgers, contributing to the conservation of these species while controlling the spread of bTB.

There remain some potential negative parts of the vaccination though.

a. The first thing about the vaccination would be vaccine efficacy. While the BCG vaccine has shown promising results, its efficacy varies across different cattle populations and regions. Ongoing research aims to improve vaccine effectiveness.

b. Another problem is the testing and surveillance. Vaccinated animals may still test positive for bTB, making it challenging to differentiate between vaccinated and infected animals.

c. It's also hard to do the vaccine in a wide range of populations because of the high cost. Widespread implementation of vaccination programs requires significant resources, including funding, infrastructure, and trained personnel. Collaboration between government agencies, farmers, and researchers is crucial for successful implementation.

Conclusion

In summary, from a financial standpoint, bovine tuberculosis caused by badgers to cattle in the UK impacts both the advancement of animal husbandry and economic growth. From a moralistic perspective, badgers do, however, also have an essential function in nature. English badger culling has generated controversy. Nonetheless, British celebrities have long supported animal rights and opposed the hunting of English badgers, including the lead guitarist of Queen. With their considerable celebrity, British celebrities are attempting to raise awareness of the British badger's scientific status so that more people will see that killing them is not the only option.

Scientific study finds a middle ground between the diametrically opposed viewpoints of ethics and economic development. Ultimately, increasing biodiversity will reduce the harm badgers cause to livestock and agriculture more than culling them. The creation of a bovine tuberculosis vaccine is a demonstration of the value of ecology and biodiversity as well as an effort to safeguard badgers in the United Kingdom.The British are attempting to strike a balance between various moral conceptions, scientific foundations, and inspiration to challenge the status quo set by the authorities, even if people are looking for more efficient methods to do things through technology, which also has some negative effects.The United Nations will make sure that rinderpest virus samples are kept safely in labs and research facilities across the globe for the next five to ten years, and that any associated research is done under close supervision. To make sure that rinderpest doesn't repeat, national and regional inquiries must be conducted in the event that a disease like it arises.