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Badger cull will continue, says MAFF

- 03 December 1998
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03 December 1998

Badger cull will continue, says MAFF

By FWi staff

THE Government will press ahead with the culling of thousands of badgers – despite a European ruling yesterday (Tuesday) that criticised its attempts to determine whether the animals passed tuberculosis to cattle.

The Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF) hopes the experimental cull will provide conclusive evidence of whether badgers are behind an increase in the disease in cattle.

But it was condemned by a meeting of delegates from more than 30 European Governments, who ruled that the cull breaches the Bern Convention, designed to protect wildlife.

The conventions standing committee, meeting in Strasbourg, found that the UK Government had inadequately examined alternative methods of reducing the incidence of TB in cattle before embarking on the cull.

A MAFF spokesman said today that the cull will continue at least until the closed season begins in January.

Officials will then consider the implications of the yesterdays ruling, which resulted in a complaints file being opened against the Government for breaching three articles of the Bern convention.

Conservationists immediately condemned junior agriculture minister Jeff Rooker for “killing without conscience”.

“If this Government had any respect for animal welfare and conservation it would stop the badger cull now,” said Elaine King, conservation officer for the National Federation of Badger Groups.

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