Public opinion polls routinely show decisive opposition to the badger cull.

In October, 2012 MPs voted to abandon the cull by 147 to just 28 votes. Eminent scientists, such as Professor John Bourne and Lord John Krebs, have spoken strongly against the cull, while wildlife experts, Sir David Attenborough and Chris Packham, also oppose it.

The government defines bovine TB as “an infectious disease of cattle”. Better farm welfare, tighter biosecurity and stricter cattle movement controls are key to combating it. To protect badgers from this disease - and to prevent them passing it back to cows - vaccination can be usefully employed. Ignoring the views of the public, scientists and wildlife experts will only damage the government.

A Yates, Bolton