10/05/2011
BBC TV Countryfile presenter Adam Henson has accused animal rights extremists of making sickening death threats against his children.
The father of two had reported on controversial proposals to cull 70% of all badgers in areas affected by bovine tuberculosis.
But he revealed that he has since received vile hate mail from angry animal rights activists.
Adam, 45, told a farming conference yesterday: “There are some very nasty extremists about.
“I have had some serious hate letters from them – things like, ‘We are going to burn your children’.”
Adam told 185 farming delegates that his report last September was balanced and met BBC guidelines.
He said: “These guidelines are very strict. So you will never hear me saying that we should be culling badgers. My hands are completely tied on the issue.
“I cannot campaign for anything at all – I simply report what is being said on both sides.
“But this is a hugely emotive subject and we have to realise that there are extremists on both sides of the argument.
“Badgers are such fantastic animals to watch and can be a great asset, and I think that there should be a middle ground between farming and conservationists on tackling the bovine TB problem.”
Bovine tuberculosis is believed to be transmitted to cows after they breathe in bacteria from other animals, such as badgers. Some 38,000 cows died from the disease last year.
The Government was expected to announce a badger cull in February but the decision has been delayed.
Mel Squires, of the National Farmers’ Union in the South West, told the farming conference in Cornwall: “We are expecting the Government to take some really brave steps.
“They have said that they are going to support us. If they don’t then they are going to leave the cattle industry in real distress.”
In Wales, where the Welsh Assembly has ordered a cull, the Badger Trust has distanced itself from threats by the Animal Liberation Front. The group had vowed to tear down farmers’ fences and damage agricultural buildings.
The trust said it “dissociates itself from any proposals to use force or intimidation towards anyone carrying out trapping, shooting or any other procedures that may be officially approved”.
Adam, who co-presents Countryfile with Kate Humble, lives with his partner Charlie Gilbert and their children Alfie, nine, and Ella, 13, near Cheltenham, Glos.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/tv/2011/05/10/bbc-s-countryfile-star-adam-henson-says-animal-rights-extremists-have-sent-death-threats-against-his-children-115875-23119542/
BBC TV Countryfile presenter Adam Henson has accused animal rights extremists of making sickening death threats against his children.
The father of two had reported on controversial proposals to cull 70% of all badgers in areas affected by bovine tuberculosis.
But he revealed that he has since received vile hate mail from angry animal rights activists.
Adam, 45, told a farming conference yesterday: “There are some very nasty extremists about.
“I have had some serious hate letters from them – things like, ‘We are going to burn your children’.”
Adam told 185 farming delegates that his report last September was balanced and met BBC guidelines.
He said: “These guidelines are very strict. So you will never hear me saying that we should be culling badgers. My hands are completely tied on the issue.
“I cannot campaign for anything at all – I simply report what is being said on both sides.
“But this is a hugely emotive subject and we have to realise that there are extremists on both sides of the argument.
“Badgers are such fantastic animals to watch and can be a great asset, and I think that there should be a middle ground between farming and conservationists on tackling the bovine TB problem.”
Bovine tuberculosis is believed to be transmitted to cows after they breathe in bacteria from other animals, such as badgers. Some 38,000 cows died from the disease last year.
The Government was expected to announce a badger cull in February but the decision has been delayed.
Mel Squires, of the National Farmers’ Union in the South West, told the farming conference in Cornwall: “We are expecting the Government to take some really brave steps.
“They have said that they are going to support us. If they don’t then they are going to leave the cattle industry in real distress.”
In Wales, where the Welsh Assembly has ordered a cull, the Badger Trust has distanced itself from threats by the Animal Liberation Front. The group had vowed to tear down farmers’ fences and damage agricultural buildings.
The trust said it “dissociates itself from any proposals to use force or intimidation towards anyone carrying out trapping, shooting or any other procedures that may be officially approved”.
Adam, who co-presents Countryfile with Kate Humble, lives with his partner Charlie Gilbert and their children Alfie, nine, and Ella, 13, near Cheltenham, Glos.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/tv/2011/05/10/bbc-s-countryfile-star-adam-henson-says-animal-rights-extremists-have-sent-death-threats-against-his-children-115875-23119542/
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