Australian government responds to Morrissey over criticism for cat-culling scheme

The Australian government has issued a public response to recent criticism by Morrissey, where he took aim at their scheme to cull feral cats.

Two million feral cats are set to be trapped and killed with poisonous bait by 2020, in an attempt to protect endangered species.

Morrissey was joined by fellow environmentalist and animal rights campaigner Brigitte Bardot in campaigning against the scheme. In response, threatened species commissioner Gregory Andrews issued the followed statement, as reported by The Guardian Australia:

“I would like to commend you for your commitment to, and advocacy for, animals and their welfare… [but] the Australian government has taken a stance on feral cats; for the protection of our native species that belong here.

“I never thought I’d write to Brigitte Bardot. It’s an unusual situation. I’m glad people like them care about animal welfare and I care deeply about animal welfare too. The threat to our wildlife are clear and feral cats are top of the list. We don’t hate cats but we don’t have a choice. We will do this as humanely as possible and we will reduce the net suffering of animals in Australia.

“I sleep very well at night knowing what we are doing. Australians support this. Brigitte Bardot and Morrissey have a lack of understanding of Australia and what we are losing. They aren’t Australians, they aren’t experiencing the extinction crisis we have here.”