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Duck cull not needed, but backers went ahead
Further to recent press reports, I wish to clarify matters regarding the slaughter of ruddy ducks on Pearson's Flash on November 1.
Those responsible for the cull in Wigan are Defra, the WWT, the RSPB and the Wigan Council Labour Group.
All of the Community Action Party and Liberal Democrat council members voted against the cull.
In the 1970s the white-headed duck was facing extinction in Spain due to hunting.
However thanks to conservation efforts, including the import of fertilised white-headed duck eggs from Pakistan, the white-headed duck population in Spain has recovered substantially from a reported 22 in 1977 to around 5,000 today.
Following some evidence, more than five years ago, of incidents of ruddy ducks mating with white-headed ducks in Spain and producing fertile hybrids, Britain agreed to Spanish requests in 2003 for a cull of ruddy ducks.
There have been reports that the only reason for Britain's agreement to the slaughter was to comply with British Government instructions that all requests from the Spanish Government should be acceded to wherever possible, to reciprocate the Spanish Government's support in 2003 for the British Government's war against Iraq.
During the whole of 2006 only four ruddies and two hybrids were found and shot in Spain.
There is no evidence that the four ruddies migrated from Britain and it is more likely that they were from a neighbouring country such as France. On the contrary the effects of global warming have resulted in ruddy ducks staying in breeding grounds within Britain.
There is no justification for a cull in Britain and the reasons given are no longer relevant.
The truth is that certain individuals in Defra, the WWT and the RSPB are unwilling to risk their careers by acknowledging the changed circumstances.
Also there is a 3.3m "ruddy duck cull gravy train" rolling and the beneficiaries are unwilling to get off.
Coun Peter Franzen
Support Meningitis Trust at 21
Many people are aware of meningitis, a terrible disease that strikes in an instant but leaves behind devastating side-effects.
For 21 years the Meningitis Trust has been fighting this disease and supporting every individual touched by it. I am proud to be president of the Meningitis Trust and I have personal experience of its work as my daughter contracted the disease in 1998.
Every year in the UK there are thousands of cases of viral meningitis and more than 4,000 recorded cases of bacterial meningitis.
As the Trust celebrates its 21st anniversary, it is looking to a future where its services, support and education will be as important as ever.
The Meningitis Trust has the skills, knowledge and dedication - but your readers' support is vital as it celebrates its 21st anniversary and looks to the future.
Andrew Harvey, former TV news presenter, via email
Save cash on BT
With reference to the recent letter from "Hard-up pensioner" concerning their BT phone bill, I asked BT to put my mother on the "light user" scheme because her calls were less than the service charge. This has reduced her bill considerably. I hope this will be of some help to your correspondent.
Pensioner's daughter
(name and address supplied)
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Weather for Wigan
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
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