Communicating Science - Debate: Badger control

9 Nov 2010 – 6:00 pm - 7:40 pm

Debate: Is the coalition government's proposal for a 'science-led programme of badger control' an effective way to reduce tuberculosis in cattle? - a ZSL Science and Conservation Event.

Cattle TB is a significant problem for the farming industry in Britain and badgers are a known source of infection. For 30 years badgers were culled in an attempt to control cattle TB, but this controversial practice was stopped after independent scientists advised the previous government that culling 'could not meaningfully contribute to the control of cattle TB'. However, the new coalition government has pledged a 'science-led policy of badger control'. At this event, to take place during a public consultation on the issue, scientists will debate the evidence for and against badger culling as an effective means to control cattle TB.

Speakers:
Professor Bob Watson - Chief Scientific Adviser, Defra;
Professor Christl Donnelly - Imperial College London;
Dr Rosie Woodroffe - Institute of Zoology, ZSL; and
Professor Quintin McKellar - Principal, Royal Veterinary College.

Chair: Andrew George MP

This event will take the form of an open debate. After the four short presentations, the speaker panel will take questions from the floor.

Badgers and bovine TB debate - speakers' biographies (84 KB)

Please note that this event has already taken place.

This event in the 'Communicating Science' series will begin at 6.00pm (doors from 5.00pm) and talks are scheduled to finish at 7.30pm; admission is free and open to everyone (no advance booking or registration required). This event will be held in the ZSL Meeting Rooms and seats will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

ZSL Science and Conservation Events: An essential part of ZSL's work is to communicate relevant, high-quality zoological and conservation science. The integrated ZSL Science and Conservation Events programme includes Symposia, and the new 'Wildlife Conservation' and 'Communicating Science' series. Topics cover a wide variety of zoological and conservation themes, and international experts present and discuss their research.