Badger bodgers (part two)

Yesterday I talked about the "human cost" claimed by the NFU in blocking farmers from taking the easy way out. My uncle J has reminded me that I am in actual fact mistaken about the so-called human cost incurred by farmers. As J says, "You should know that there is no human cost to farmers, they are FULLY compensated for any losses as a result of slaughter through bovine TB. In fact one local farmer here (Pembs is the hotspot for the disease in Wales) had his whole herd destroyed and actually made a profit on the amount of compensation paid to him from public funds to replace his animals!!!!!
The reality is that all the while that farmers get paid they will have absolutely no realistic incentive to change their working practices."

Further more, my uncle makes a point I can only dream of thinking up: "If farmers (who would again get financial support) got off their quads and tractors and actually fenced round these areas then the disease would reduce."

As someone who grew up in the country and has seen first-hand how the guardians of the countryside "protect" our environment (grab the EU subsidy, destroy all natural habitat, drain all marshland for an extra acre or two of short-term grazing, then complain - and wonder why - their fields are flooded during periods of high rainfall) I can only concur with my uncle's argument. After all, farmers will tell you to get off their land on the one hand, but have no respect for your private land if they decide to drive their hounds through it in pursuit of the fox.

And while I'm here, I should point out I was fully aware of the irony of quoting George Monbiot's excellent piece on air travel, and then making excuses for this year's trip to Canada. I can only apologise to Planet Earth for once again taking to the air. I'm honestly becoming so uncomfortable with flying that I can envisage this being the last flight I make for the foreseeable future. I've enjoyed my trips to the American continent - despite the huge environmental cost - but now we've finally got out of Wiltshire I'm quite content with remaining a UK citizen and exploring my local area... By any forms of travel but plane!