THERE probably won't be any badgers in England soon. The Farming Minister, someone called Jim Paice, has announced that as few as five per cent of all badgers could survive in the areas where badgers are to be killed.

The cull starts in June 2012 and the plan is to allow farmers to kill as many badgers as they can. Farmers who have a "badger killing licence" must commit themselves to killing at least 70 per cent of the badgers in the area covered by their licence.

Our elected government has chosen to make a real effort to eliminate a wonderful and iconic wild animal from our countryside.

It is a myth that badgers spread tuberculosis (TB) to cows. The evidence shows that cattle movement spreads TB among cows. It's cows that give it to badgers, not the other way around.

There's still time to stop the mass slaughter of the innocents. Please visit: www.viva.org/badgers or phone on 0117 944 1000, to find out how you can help our friends.

Please stand up for the badgers or there won't be any.

Frances Wicks

St Thomas, Exeter