DEFRA secretary Hilary Benn's decision to rule out a badger cull to control the spread of bovine TB has met an angry response from farmers.

Writing on the FWiSpace discussion forums, the aged clun said: "Why is it publically acceptable for the government to enter any farm and kill any domestic animal on it, for whatever reason, against the wishes of its owner, but it is not publically acceptable to kill a diseased and suffering wild mammal?

"I like badgers but they are at the top of the food chain. There are undoubtedly now too many of them (the same could be said of humans!) Some form of control is necessary for their own wellbeing."

Kansasfarmer added: "You can test cows all you want, but if there is another carrier (and there absolutely has to be or you would have TB whipped by now) testing and getting rid of infected cows will do no good.  True leaders in government would explain that to the people of the UK."

• Are you angry about the decision - or do you feel it is justified. Add your thoughts on the forum.
• Or read what farmers were saying at the Royal Show.