MADAM, The readers of the Ross Gazette have been surprisingly quiet on the subject of the proposed badger cull, given the amount of coverage in the national press and television, but all the more so given that Ross lies within the cull zone. I am surprised that it hasn't yet made the front page.

It seems that many residents in and around Ross are unaware that the cull zone extends into South Herefordshire, because the zone is always described as 'West Gloucestershire'.

A licence has now been issued by DEFRA for the cull to commence here imminently. Over a six-week period, marksmen will aim to shoot 70% of the badger population, at night. That will include a majority of healthy badgers and poses a risk to the public. However, in proceeding with the cull, the government has chosen to ignore the science. A ten-year independent scientific study, costing £50m and involving killing 11,000 badgers, concluded that "badger culling can make no meaningful contribution to cattle TB control in Britain". At best, the report found culling might reduce the incidence of new infection by just 16% after nine years, but with a high risk of infection being spread further by the perturbation of badgers.

There is no doubt that bTB is a terrible disease, which impacts greatly on the lives of affected cattle and the livelihoods of farmers. For that reason, it is essential that the right steps are taken to eradicate it, rather than ignoring the science. We should follow the example of the Welsh Assembly, which reversed their decision to cull, choosing instead to vaccinate badgers.

At a time when Herefordshire farmers need the public's support, there is a huge risk that participating in this cull will divide the community. That will be a high price, if the science is right and the cull does little to reduce bTB, leaving the farming community still saddled with this disease for years to come.

Name and address supplied

Madam, Re-reading a recent copy of your newspaper, I find that a few new points come to mind. Having had nomadic careers in the Navy after some 16 years or more in Ross, the feet do tend to itch at times.

But then we read of the gallant efforts and success of Margaret Lucas, the ongoing achievements of ART, the efforts of certain local councillors, who do not need to be named, and the sporting prowess of our youngsters in rowing, rugby and football ... and we realise that Ross is not such a bad place. Well done to everybody.

Going off at a tangent, we note that the cull of badgers is to start. Not a happy future for poor old Mr Brock if he lives in Gloucester. Is it a good idea? I, for one, am not convinced but then, I am not a vet or a farmer so what do I know? But, of interest, I travel from Ross to Newent several times a week and on most days there tends to be a new badger corpse by the roadside. Witnessing this slaughter, I wonder if people run them down on purpose ... and are there really enough badgers left to warrant the cost of a cull?

Finally, if I may be my usual cynical self, I note that the subject of council issued bin-bags, or lack there-of, has raised its smelly head once more. Over the months I have read all the comments from both sides and there is one final comment to make. The bags are not expensive but any increase in our cost of living is to be avoided. Now people will tend to make one bag last two weeks. But we warned - our ever vigilant masters in Herefordshire Council's corridors of power will become aware of this and reduce refuse collections to once fortnightly, and another promise will be broken.

Michael Field, Ross