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02/12/2013
Gloucestershire Badger Cull Fails To Meet Target
The pilot cull of badgers in West Gloucestershire has not met the 70% target set out by the government.
Official figures have revealed that in the additional five weeks and three days of culling allowed, only 213 badgers were killed, bringing the total number to 921.
Only 40% were culled during the operation, which ended on Saturday 30 November.
In a statement to Parliament, Rural Affairs Minister Owen Patterson said: "The aim of the extension was to achieve the earliest and greatest possible impact on bTB in the area, in line with the Chief Veterinary Officer's advice that a further significant reduction of the badger population in the first year would increase the likelihood of disease benefits in cattle over the full four years of the cull.
"The decision to extend has been shown to be the right one, with significant numbers of badgers removed at the point that the extension was ended."
Last month, a similar cull pilot scheme in Somerset ended which also failed to meet its targets – despite a three-week extension period. In that area, there was an estimated 65% reduction in the badger population. The target figure was 70%.
The Independent Panel of Experts will now consider the information collected during the pilots on the safety, effectiveness and humaneness of controlled shooting.
This will inform decisions on the wider roll-out of badger control in those parts of England most severely affected by the disease.
(JP)
Official figures have revealed that in the additional five weeks and three days of culling allowed, only 213 badgers were killed, bringing the total number to 921.
Only 40% were culled during the operation, which ended on Saturday 30 November.
In a statement to Parliament, Rural Affairs Minister Owen Patterson said: "The aim of the extension was to achieve the earliest and greatest possible impact on bTB in the area, in line with the Chief Veterinary Officer's advice that a further significant reduction of the badger population in the first year would increase the likelihood of disease benefits in cattle over the full four years of the cull.
"The decision to extend has been shown to be the right one, with significant numbers of badgers removed at the point that the extension was ended."
Last month, a similar cull pilot scheme in Somerset ended which also failed to meet its targets – despite a three-week extension period. In that area, there was an estimated 65% reduction in the badger population. The target figure was 70%.
The Independent Panel of Experts will now consider the information collected during the pilots on the safety, effectiveness and humaneness of controlled shooting.
This will inform decisions on the wider roll-out of badger control in those parts of England most severely affected by the disease.
(JP)
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01 March 2005
Badger cull considered in plans to tackle bovine TB
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Badger cull considered in plans to tackle bovine TB
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has warned that badgers could be culled in order to stop the spread of bovine tuberculosis (TB). Defra stressed that scientific, as well as other evidence, was "vital" to solving the problem.
05 November 2013
Badger Cull In Somerset Ends
The pilot badger cull in Somerset ended on Friday 1 November. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson updated Parliamenton the results of the cull following the conclusion of the three week licence extension granted by Natural England.
Badger Cull In Somerset Ends
The pilot badger cull in Somerset ended on Friday 1 November. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson updated Parliamenton the results of the cull following the conclusion of the three week licence extension granted by Natural England.
17 October 2013
Badger Cull Falls Short Of Target
MPs have heard that a six-week badger cull carried out in Gloucestershire failed to meet its target. Environment secretary Owen Paterson has reported to MPs that during the program 708 badgers were culled. Originally estimating the badger population at some 3,400 animals, a cull target of 2,900 was set.
Badger Cull Falls Short Of Target
MPs have heard that a six-week badger cull carried out in Gloucestershire failed to meet its target. Environment secretary Owen Paterson has reported to MPs that during the program 708 badgers were culled. Originally estimating the badger population at some 3,400 animals, a cull target of 2,900 was set.
14 January 2014
Police Chiefs Reveal Cost Of Badger Cull
It cost almost £1,400 per badger to police the pilot cull scheme, according to a report by the BBC. It is understood that tweets posted by police and crime commissioner (PCC) Martin Surl revealed that the cull had cost "around £1.
Police Chiefs Reveal Cost Of Badger Cull
It cost almost £1,400 per badger to police the pilot cull scheme, according to a report by the BBC. It is understood that tweets posted by police and crime commissioner (PCC) Martin Surl revealed that the cull had cost "around £1.
14 October 2013
Badger Cull Extended In West Somerset
Natural England has confirmed that criteria have been met to allow the badger cull in west Somerset to continue under licence. The new licence will allow the cull to continue for three more weeks to help prevent the spread of bovine TB. This extension suppliments the original four-year licence granted in October last year.
Badger Cull Extended In West Somerset
Natural England has confirmed that criteria have been met to allow the badger cull in west Somerset to continue under licence. The new licence will allow the cull to continue for three more weeks to help prevent the spread of bovine TB. This extension suppliments the original four-year licence granted in October last year.
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