NFU says farmers must win over public on badger cull
Farmers must join together and make better use of social media if they are to win the hearts and minds of the public over the proposed cull of badgers to combat bovine tuberculosis, the NFU said.
Speaking at a meeting in Devon on Friday (16 November), Fran Barnes, the NFU’s director of communications, said the union would be working hard over the next seven to 10 months to make sure every member of the public was well informed about TB.
“We need everyone to get involved. There is nothing more powerful for people than hearing about TB from a farmer’s perspective and seeing what actually happens on farms.”
Ms Barnes said the feedback following Gloucestershire farmer David Barton’s appearance on the BBC’s Panorama programme had been extremely positive, but the NFU needed more farmers to come forward and speak out about the impact of the disease.
“It’s really important the public understand what it means to be a farmer and be affected by TB. We can give you media training and as much support as you need, so please do contact your local NFU office and volunteer.”
However, social media also had a massive role to play, she added. “In 24 hours between 24 and 26 October, 1.7m people tweeted in opposition to the badger cull on Twitter. Less than 52,000 supported it. That creates the impression that there are far more people out there who are anti-cull than is actually the case.
“And a lot of the supposed facts quoted are wrong – and unless they are challenged, people just accept them as the truth.”
Ms Barnes urged farmers to sign up to Twitter and get involved, using the hashtag #Tbfree, as well as writing to their local newspapers and MPs. “Invite people on to your farm, get involved with FACE and Open Farm Sunday. Every member and every farmer can play a role in getting our message out.”
Shock tactics had clearly worked when the Panorama programme showed cattle being shot on farm, said Ms Barnes. “Some people wrote in to complain as they were so shocked. It really had impact and that is good, because it is a fact – that is what happens.”
Last month, the badger cull was postponed at the 11th hour after new survey results revealed higher than expected badgers numbers in the two pilot cull areas of west Somerset and west Gloucestershire. DEFRA secretary Owen Paterson has insisted the cull will go ahead next summer.