In the UK there is an epidemic of tuberculosis among cattle, and badgers are believed to be carriers of the disease. Badgers also suffer from it. The Ministry of Agriculture has a policy of wide-area culling of badgers in order to protect cattle. Result: badgers move in from surrounding areas, perhaps bringing the disease with them.
On 5 April 2006 it was reported (BBC Radio 4 Today Programme) that an organic farmer in south-west England, an area where TB is prevalent, had tried a new approach. He noticed that his cattle that were fed on clover rather than maize were much more resistant to the disease. He also knew that badgers liked maize. Maize is deficient in certain elements, especially Selenium. So he left pails by each badger sett with a Selenium-rich mix of molasses. The result: the badgers in his area are healthy and no longer infect his cattle.
This seems a clear example of how, if we look after (do good to) the rest of creation, we will ourselves benefit. The problem is that British farmers have, for long, seen badgers as 'enemies' and 'threats' and I suspect that there is an attitude among them of "Why should we do good to those which ought to be exterminated! Why should I waste my money on doing this?" That attitude - not informed by the fruit of the Holy Spirit - should not, at least, be taken by those who bear Christ's Name.
I call upon all Christian farmers to follow the example of their organic colleague and do good to the badgers rather than doing evil.
Copyright (c) Andrew Basden 2003-4, but you may copy this page as long as every copy includes this full copyright notice, and the copying is not for financial gain.
Created: . Last updated: 3 December 2006 sampson.