UK Badger cull heads for further consultation
There will be no culling of badgers in England this year to curb cattle tuberculosis, the government has said.
Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said she was “strongly minded” to allow culling, but details of the methodology will be sent out for consultation.
If that does not raise major obstacles, culling can be piloted next spring, with wider implementation in 2013.
Ministers anticipate a legal challenge, but said that “ducking the issue” was not an option.
Opponents said the government’s chosen methods could make the problem worse.
The cull proposals form part of a larger package of measures including enhanced testing of cattle herds and more training of farmers on biosecurity.
Bovine TB currently costs the UK budget about £100m per year.
“We are setting out a comprehensive and balanced package of measures to tackle this terrible disease,” Ms Spelman told reporters.
“If we don’t change what we’re doing, [bovine TB] will cost the country a £1bn over the next 10 years.”
Following the Welsh Assembly elections earlier this year, the Welsh government is reviewing its culling policy
via BBC News.
