Pembrokeshire Against the Cull supporters meeting

On Monday night (14h June) I attended a meeting of supporters for Pembrokeshire Against the Cull at Rhosygilwen, near Cardigan. There were over 200 people at the mansion, in a very isolated setting and I was surprised at the turnout.

Speakers were, chairperson Celia Thomas, Lizzie Wilberforce from the Wildlife Trust, Dr Gavin Wheeler, AM Peter Black and actor Jerome Flynn. The agenda focused mainly on the merits of a vaccination for badgers as an alternative to culling, which according to the speakers would be more effective, cheaper, and less unpopular.

The meeting's atendees seemed to be mostly landowners and farmers from within the cull area, which was a surprise to me, as I did not think so many farmers would object.

There was a great deal of bad feeing toward the assembly evident at the meeting. But there seemed to be as much disapproval for the fact that it will be compulsory for landowners to allow cullers on their property, as for the cull itself. This was particularly detectable when Peter Black spoke about the issue of landowner's rights.

Clearly there were a great many people at the meeting with a strong passion for wildlife. But there were also many who objected to the cull based on indignation at having their rights apparently ignored.

An inflamatory topic was also the alledged behaviour of the police in relation to the cull opposition. Two police officers took seats in the hall before the meeting, but were asked to leave by one of the speakers. It was anounced to the meeting that this had happened, and also that the police had parked their car (which had CCTV capabilities) with a view of the gate to the car park at the time when everyone was arriving. It was suggested that they may have ben recording the car number plates of the meeting goers, but when they were asked, they said the camera was not recording.

There was also talk accusing the police of tapping the phones of PAC members, but this must remain in the realm speculation.

There will always be protesters and opposition groups to conservation matters. But PAC's grievances set them apart from mear animal rights campaigners. Their arguments have scientific backing (whether it is correct or not is debatable), and many of their members are themselves ecologists. Furthermore PAC's anger stems to a significant degree from the way they feel they have been treated by the WAG.

Their passion against all facets of the cull is formidable, but rational.