Queen guitarist turned animal rights campaigner Brian May vowed to continue fighting against the badger cull, on the day the Badger Trust’s judicial review was rejected.
The rock legend today ikened the killing of the nocturnal creatures to a witch hunt.
Ageing rocker May is viciously opposed to the Government’s plans to kill badgers in an effort to wipe out Bovine TB, a disease which decimates livestock herds and costs embattled British farmers millions annually.
May, who performed at the Olympics closing ceremony with a badger motif on his arm, was in Bristol for the launch of the teambadger.org website, when he heard the judicial review had been rejected.
Badger-lover May said: “Years ago we used to burn witches at the stake when they were thought to be the blame of all problems.
“Years from now we will all think the same about badgers. I firmly believe all animals have just as much right to be on this planet as we do.”
The rocker vowed to take the fight to Europe, moments after hearing about the rejection.
May appeared with RSPCA Chief Executive Gavin Grant and Mark Jones, director of the Humane Society International.
Hundreds of people gathered at College Green in Bristol to support the humble badger.
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He said: “It is a question that somebody has to speak up for them really. I’ve been speaking about the way we treat our wildlife in general for the last three years.
“Our government are intent on slaughtering thousands of badgers in an attempt to stop the spread of Bovine TB in cows.
“Let me tell you something, over ten years almost ten thousand badgers were killed in an impartial scientific experiment and the conclusion was common badgers can not meaningfully contribute to the spread of Bovine TB in cattle.
“Unfortunately, the government thinks it knows better, but it has been shown time and time again that culls would not help the situation.
“You could kill every single badger and cattle would still get Bovine TB. It’s endemic in cows, it’s called Bovine TB. Cows give it to badgers, not the other way round.”
He added that the decision about the judicial review was not unexpected. “I’m not very much daunted by the fact that it failed.”
Wild-haired May hopes that pressure from badger supporters will force the Government to change their plan, and begin working on a vaccination again.
He vowed to take the fight to Brussels, as EU regulations currently forbid vaccination of cattle.
May added: “I’m a rockstar you know. I can open doors.”
n the lawn outside Bristol Cathedral, badger fans reacted angrily to the decision not to stop the badger cull.
Accounts manager Kerrie Lambert had her face painted like a badger and was fuming by the Government’s plans.
Kerry, 26, originally from California, said: “I’m saddened and very upset by it. It is a huge setback, but we have to keep on fighting.”
Brunette Kerry, wearing a t-shirt with ‘f**k the cull’ emblazoned on it, added: “The cull is based on unfounded scientific evidence.
“It’s completely ridiculous. To be honest, it would be funny if it wasn’t so tragic.”
RSPCA Chief Executive Gavin Grant added: “We already know that badgers are being slaughtered, even though it is against the law.
“It needs to stop. We need to stop it. The badgers have no voice. They have no vote. I do. And it’s time to make our voices count.”
