Anger at proposed badger cull

Updated 11.06 Wed Apr 09 2008

Keywords: Wales, cull, cattle, badgers

Badgers are set to be killed in an attempt to stamp out tuberculosis in cattle.

They are a protected species in the UK but have a bad reputation with some farmers.

Bovine TB is proving a big problem in Wales with over 8,000 affected cattle having to be killed over the last year

Bovine TB is proving a big problem in Wales with over 8,000 affected cattle having to be killed over the last year.

Farmers are blaming the spread of the disease on badgers and in response the Welsh Assembly has made a controversial decision to test how widespread the problem is by setting up a pilot cull zone.

While many farmers have welcomed the decision, the RSPCA described it as going against sound scientific judgement.

Officials say bovine TB is out of control in Wales, but conservation groups insist a badger cull will not stop it spreading.

The method and a site with suitable natural or man-made boundaries have not be chosen. Other areas could be considered after the pilot is reviewed.

In a statement Wales's Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said: "This is a difficult decision to take and it has not been taken lightly. I am very aware of the strong views on this issue."

She made clear that badgers would remain a protected species and said she had given "due consideration to the divergence of scientific and political opinion", adding "illegal action will not be tolerated."

Ms Jones said she wanted to reform the compensation system for farmers whose infected cows were slaughtered to "encourage herd owners to comply with legal and best practice requirements".

Last year, 7,905 cattle were put down in Wales, up from 669 in 1997. A compensation bill for affected farms of £15.2 million in 2007 would grow to more than £30 million by 2012 if it continued at the present "unsustainable" rate, she added.

RSPCA farm animal scientist John Avizienius said: "A badger cull in Wales would be a colossal mistake for cattle, farmers and badgers - and an outrageous waste of time, resources and badgers' lives.

In Westminster, the Conservatives said the Government had been "dithering over bovine TB for ten years".

Shadow agriculture minister Jim Paice said: "While decisions are taken in Wales, farmers in England are left in limbo by a government which continues to wring its hands and do nothing."