Assembly + democracy = a badger cull

The fact that the English have decided not to cull their badgers will make no difference to minister Elin Jones.

Glib comments from the Badger Trust in England and from English newspapers will merely prove that they don’t know what they are talking about.

This is a devolved issue, has been for some time, and preparations are slowly grinding towards action.

Elin Jones this morning listed the list of things which have to happen before the first culling takes place.

First a killing zone has to be chosen and delineated. Then the method has to be chosen, and Defra work in England on whether it should be gassing, or traps, or whatever, would probably be called on.

Then the minister has to decide who should do it – farmers, government officials (ie vets, or similar), or whoever. Bearing in mind the illegal activities of some parts of the community, there is perhaps a tilting towards government agents (ie contractors).

Only then will licences be issued. At present, the issue of such licences is halted through Britain. The halt will continue in England. But not in Wales. This is a key issue for the Plaid part of the coalition; and Ms Jones, AM for Ceredigion and a dairy farmer’s daughter from a hot-spot area, would see this as a key issue for the future of the coalition.

The Badger Trust has complained that the Welsh minister has refused to meet them. And they’ve stupidly claimed that Ms Jones has NOT (their capitals) decided on a cull. Really, they should learn to read a solicitor’s letter a little more closely.

I’m afraid that the trust will have to rely on the RSPCA to look after any interests they possess which are relevant. The RSPCA might be opposed to culling; but they also possess a duty to aid the government, and to aid democracy.

And what is more important in a democacy ? The voice of a pressure group, or the voice of a democratically-elected government ?