Extinction warning over badgers as cull extended
Scheme to stop spread ofTB widened to Midland counties
THE number of badgers killed as part of a cull is set to pass 200,000. It comes as the Governmentbacked scheme to stop disease spreading is widened to include all of the Midland counties around Birmingham.
They are among 21 counties where culling will take place. Up to 67,801 badgers could be killed this year as a further 11 zones in England have been added to the programme.
But campaigners are warning of a badger extinction. Approximately 174,000 badgers have been killed since 2013 in an effort to curb the spread of bovine tuberculosis.
Cull supporters blame badgers for fuelling the spread of TB across the countryside and 26,000 cows were slaughtered in England in the past 12 months because of the infection.
A total of 33,000 badgers were culled last year through shooting and cage trapping – and backers claim the programme is helping ease TB in cattle.
Peter Hambly, Badger Trust executive director, said: “The local extinction of badgers is happening right here, right now. The Government has finally admitted they want 2022 to be the record year for badger deaths from their senseless cull.
“Over 67,000 badgers have been marked for slaughter this year, with massive new areas intensively culled for the first time – including in Northamptonshire, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.”
Mr Hambly continued: “We already know parts of the South West are empty of badgers; the Government seems intent on wiping out this iconic mammal.”
The latest scheme includes the Midland counties of Staffordshire Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire.
Tom Bradshaw, National Farmers’ Union Deputy President, added: “Bovine TB continues to have a huge impact on thousands of farming families across the country and the emotional, mental and financial strain this devastating disease causes is enormous.
“The current government strategy to control and eradicate bTB, which gives farmers access to all available measures to tackle the disease, has been successful. Since it was introduced, the strategy has reduced disease incidence – giving farmers, their families and their businesses muchneeded relief.
“We will continue to work with government to ensure a successful strategy to eradicate bTB is based on sound science and evidence.”
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs hopes to have a jab for cows by 2025, and eradicate bTB by 2035.
A spokesman said: “Bovine TB is one of the most difficult and intractable animal health challenges that the livestock sector in England faces today, causing considerable trauma for farmers and costing taxpayers over £100 million every year.
“Our bovine TB eradication strategy has led to a significant reduction in this insidious disease. As a result of the progress made, we have issued new badger control licences for the last time.”
He continued: “We are now moving onto the next phase of the longterm eradication strategy, including steps to expand badger vaccination alongside improved cattle testing and a possible cattle vaccine.”