MPs warn cull activists to ‘act responsibly’
Anti-badger cull activists have been warned by MPs to act responsibly and consider the livelihoods of farmers and their families when protesting against the cull this autumn.
The warning comes as Stop the Cull activists posted threats on a website that they planned to sabotage the cull with direct action.
Speaking at a debate at Westminster on the dairy industry on Thursday (13 September), Sarah Wollaston, Conservative MP for Totnes, said: “Over the next few months, we will see many people – particularly celebrities – queuing up to protect the badger.
“I would like them to be very careful about how they talk about farmers and farming families. We know that farmers and their families are at great risk from vandalism and direct action, and what people say can inflame such situations.
“I hope that all members (of parliament) will join me in calling for them to act responsibly and to consider that there is another aspect to this debate.”
Dr Wollaston continued: “I call on members of the wider community at least to consider the other side of this debate and the effect on farming families, and to join me in paying tribute to the people who, as I said at the start, actually feed the nation and care for our countryside.”
Her comments were welcomed by fellow MPs who echoed her sentiment and nodded their approval.
Meanwhile, farming industry leaders and government officials have been angered by the leaking of personal details on the Stop the Cull website.
The website has urged activists to ring, write emails and send faxes to MPs, including DEFRA secretary Owen Paterson, to protest against the cull.
Earlier this week, anti-badger cull campaigner Brian May told Farmers Weekly that he was against the publication of names and home addresses of farming leaders on the Stop the Cull website.
“It was irresponsible and wasn’t done with my approval,” added Mr May.
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