Identities of badger cull farms may be hidden

The identities of the farms involved in the pilot cull of badgers in west Wales may be concealed to avoid reprisals by animal rights groups.

Even though the cull would be carried out by Welsh government contractors, activists have warned they will damage the fences and buildings of the 300 farms involved in the proposed cull, although there have been no specific threats.

A way to avoid reprisals may be to conceal farmers’ identities, suggest senior farming figures. However the Welsh government has not yet been approached over such a move.

At present, farming leaders say there is no plan to protect the identity of farmers.

In March, assembly members backed a new cull proposal for the Intensive Action Area in north Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, but as yet the newly formed Labour assembly government has not said how it plans to proceed.

The cull comes under the remit of environment and sustainable development minister, John Griffiths, since former rural affairs minister, Elin Jones, lost her job in the Cabinet following the change of government.

Earlier this year, the Farmers’ Union of Wales told members not to respond to phone calls asking them if they supported the cull. Some farmers have been advised to install security cameras and make sure they are known to the local police.