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Why listen to bloodthirsty Spain over duck cull?
How very sad to hear that the killing of the Ruddy Ducks on the Wigan and Leigh flashes has gone ahead with the blessings of our councillors and MPs.
Why do they listen to the likes of Spain, who are not at all interested in animal welfare?
The cruelty to animals not only ends with the obvious bullfights and the bloodthirsty guntoters, they also have duck fights.
I quote from a recent report in the Daily Telegraph:
"One of Spain's more bizarre local traditions - throwing live ducks into the sea to be fought over by crowds of revellers - has been banned because it causes unnecessary suffering to the birds. The event often results in the ducks being torn apart by swimmers fighting over the birds, which have had their wings clipped and cannot fly."
But despite risking a heavy fine, which I don't think will ever be imposed, the duck fight goes on. What we need are councillors, MPs and even a Prime Minister with enough backbone to tell the Spanish authorities where to get off, they've ruined our fishing industry and now seem intent on ruining our wildlife.
Cyril Barnett,
Whitley Crescent,
Wigan
Culling badgers won't stop TB
The RSPCA is echoing the anger and dismay of top scientists provoked by a Government adviser's outrageous call for a badger cull to reduce bovine TB in cattle.
Robust science has shown that a cull could have disastrous consequences for cattle and badgers alike, so leading experts are shocked by the stance of Sir David King. His recommendation directly contradicts the most rigorous scientific study on the matter.
Prof John Bourne – whose Independent Scientific Group (ISG) undertook the badger-culling study – has recently told a committee of MPs the King report appeared hastily written and "superficial. The ISG recommended cattle controls to reduce the spread of bTB. The RSPCA supported the ISG's research - despite the large numbers of badgers that died in the process - because we recognised the need for firm evidence.
To dismiss it and proceed with a cull would make a nonsense of the ISG research which took almost 10 years, cost the lives of more than 10,000 badgers and cost taxpayers 34m.
Add your voice to those of the country's eminent scientists and animal welfare experts by contacting your MP or writing to the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State, Defra, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR.
For more information - and to sign the online petition - visit www.rspca.org.uk/badgers.
Alan Wolinski,
RSPCA regional manager for the North,
via email
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I'm a 74-year-old ex-serviceman compiling my forth modest book publication Get Some In!, featuring short, amusing experiences, jokes, tales and precious moments in, and associated with, life in all branches of HM Armed Forces.
Articles are credited with the person's name, rank, number, unit or abbreviated address. All proceeds are donated to the Leicestershire Royal Tigers Association and the Royal British Legion County Pipe Band.
Examples from my three previous publications can be seen on my website at www.oldsweat.co.uk.
Cliff Newton,
Bishop Tozers Chapel,
Burgh-le-Marsh,
Skegness,
Lincs, PE24 5AD.
(thenewtons@bangonline.co.uk)
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Weather for Wigan
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
