Downing Street plea to halt the deer culls
WILDLIFE campaigner Trevor Weeks has hit out at a proposed deer cull – and has asked the government to step in and help.
Mr Weeks, the founder of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS), has set up a petition on the Prime Minister's website calling for number 10 to get involved.
It urges Gordon Brown to prevent any deer culling and instead to look at 'humane, long-term alternatives'.
There are increasing calls for a cull of deer due to a rise in road collisions and damage to crops.
But Mr Weeks said deer culling, would only be a short-term solution, and it would be impossible to prevent all deer collisions on the road.
He said, "We are asking the government to force Defra (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) to help landowners and farmers use humane methods of restricting access to crops by deer, using fencing and other alternatives.
"We are recommending that wider grass verges are used in areas where deer road collisions occur, allowing motorists and deer to see each other at a distance.
"Councils should also erect electronic warning signs, with sensors to warn motorists of deer on verges, which are more effective than static signs, and deer fencing to help prevent access on to roads in more dangerous locations.
"The petition also calls for help to provide funding to councils to build underpasses or overpasses in key areas to help deer cross main roads safely as well as asking Natural England to advise landowners of conservation areas to manage deer in a humane manner and prevent sheep being used in deer-sensitive areas and habitats which could push deer onto crop fields.
"All too often, people look to the easy and convenient ways of shooting an animal rather than looking at long-term cheaper solutions."
Anyone wanting to sign the petition can visit the Number 10 website at petitions.number10.gov.uk/stopthedeercull
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