Queen's Brian May joins badger cull rally in Bristol

Queen guitarist Brian May joined a public rally against Government plans to reduce badger numbers at College Green in Bristol this afternoon.

The event marked the launch of a new national campaign called 'Stop the Cull' – a united response by leading animal welfare charities opposed to the proposed shooting of badgers which is due to take place in the South West later this month.

The Government says that culling will help combat cattle tuberculosis, which costs the UK more than £100 million per year.

With campaigners holding posters, placards and donning face paint and badger masks surrounding him, Mr May, founder of the Save Me campaign called for the vaccination of cattle.   

"Badgers are not the cause of Bovine TB that's a grave misunderstanding," he said.

"The major cause of infection is cow to cow. It's been estimated that 80 per cent of the infection is from cow to cow. There probably is a contribution from badgers but that's because the badgers have been infected by the cows."

He added: "Culling badgers has been shown time and time again not to work. In the end vaccination is the only way to get immunity in cattle."

After news came in that the Badger Trust lost its appeal against the high court today ruling that the badger cull is lawful, Mr May remained defiant:

"It looks bad but things can change very fast. The battle isn't lost yet."

The guitarist urged people to sign a petition going round to try and get the Prime Minister David Cameron to reverse his decision.

"If it goes ahead, it's a tragedy," he said.

Also speaking at rally were RSPCA Chief Executive Gavin Grant, director of the Humane Society International, Mark Jones and Steve Jones a former dairy farmer.