Response to government consultation on badger control

22.09.11

On Tuesday, the government consultation on the implementation and enforcement of the proposed badger control policy came to a close.

This was not a further consultation on the proposed policy generally. Instead it was an opportunity for key stakeholders, such as the RSPCA, to comment on the draft guidance to Natural England. This draft guidance outlines the implementation and enforcement of a badger control policy.

Our concerns about the badger control proposals

Whilst we do not believe that a badger cull would successfully eradicate bovine TB in cattle, if a cull is to be attempted, it must be as humane and effective as possible.

The badger control policy must include an effective and stringent monitoring programme. It also needs to be implemented simultaneously over very large areas of land. 

We have serious concerns about the proposals as they stand and as we believe they will fail to achieve this – in particular the use of free-shooting.

Our consultation response on guidance to Natural England (PDF 629 KB) outlines the details of these concerns.

 

Back off badgers

We believe the government should focus on other ways of combating bovine TB in cattle, such as a recently approved TB vaccine for badgers, an increased level of cattle testing, improved biosecurity, and stricter control on the movement of cattle. 

Find out why we have campaigned for the govrnement to Back off badgers.