COUNTRYFILE viewers have slammed the BBC for broadcasting a ‘disgraceful and misleading’ episode.
Some fans of the nature programme have accused producers of showing bias when covering a controversial topic.
On the most recent episode of the long-running nature series, presenter Charlotte Smith, 60, investigated the latest plans to tackle TB in cattle.
She conducted a variety of interviews focussing on Bovine Tuberculosis in England and Wales.
This is a chronic bacterial disease, for which cattle are the main source of infection for humans.
The programme noted how badgers can be infected and transmit the disease to cattle, which in turn could transmit the disease to humans.
Countryfile investigated whether the policy of badger culling could help to curb the spread of the infection.
The long-running BBC nature show used scientific and governmental sources and statistics to show the different sides of the debate.
Although the programme presented arguments both in favour and against the policy of ‘badger culling’, viewers were not impressed.
They took to social media in their droves as they claim the programme was ‘misleading’ as they accused the BBC of favouring one side of the argument over the other.
One viewer claimed: “#Countryfile Misleading and biased in favour of badger culling once again.”
A second user stated: “#Countryfile still spring out the same old badgerphobic bile that they have done for the last 10/15 years. Farming, and defra, have learnt NOTHING. Badgers are not the problem. Farming practices are.”
“I see #Countryfile is editorialising for killing badgers again. F*** biodiversity the minute it inconveniences farmers, eh lads?”, exclaimed a third.
As a fourth nature fan fumed: “@BBCCountryfile glad to see you’re covering TB but you shouldn’t allow the badger trust or Welsh govt to misrepresent TB stats, badger trust suggesting cleanliness is the issue & badgers aren’t is quite ridiculous.”
As someone else claimed: “Once again @BBCCountryfile are getting their facts wrong in connection with #bTB and badgers. There is no evidence that badger culling has ever worked to curb the disease.”
They added: “Farmers have consistently and wrongly argued this point. Culling is being done to appease farmers.”
The Sun has approached the BBC for comment.
What is TB?
What is Bovine TB?
According to the government, Bovine TB is a disease that is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium bovis, (M. bovis).
This is closely related to the bacteria that can cause tuberculosis in humans, whereby all mammalian species, including humans, are susceptible to the disease.
The disease is mainly of a respiratory nature and transmission usually occurs through nose to nose contact, but also through contact with saliva, urine, faeces and milk.
According to the government’s website, Bovine TB can survive in the environment for a long time.
The length of time varies and conditions affecting the longevity include factors like temperature and moisture.
Can it spread to humans?
Cattle can become infected when directly exposed to infectious cattle (or other infectious animals) and their excretions. The movement of cattle with undetected infection is the most likely way that disease spreads to new areas.
Transmission of bovine TB from infected cattle can happen through the consumption of raw (unpasteurized) milk or raw milk products which contain the bacteria.
Transmission can also occur through prolonged exposure to bacteria in the air in the immediate vicinity of live infected cattle or their carcasses.
What usually happens to cows with TB?
According to the government website, Animals that “fail any statutory diagnostic test for bovine TB, including the interferon gamma and the IDEXX antibody tests”, will be slaughtered.
The ‘Tuberculosis Order’ mandates for compulsory slaughter of these animals to help stop the spread of infection.
