Badger cull expanded – against advice of own science chief

Government officials have approved a fresh wave of badger culling to begin immediately, despite clear opposition from their own chief scientific adviser.

Natural England has authorised new supplementary culls in nine areas across England, from Derbyshire to Wiltshire, as part of a long-running programme aimed at reducing badger populations to control the spread of bovine tuberculosis (bTB).

In addition, culling periods are expected to be extended from September in a further 10 areas, including parts of the West Country, Northamptonshire, and Cumbria.

This latest expansion comes in direct defiance of scientific advice. Dr Peter Brotherton, Director of Science at Natural England, advised his own department there was “no justification” for continuing supplementary culls this year. Nonetheless, Natural England—England’s official nature watchdog—is moving ahead.

Frankly, it’s hard to comprehend. This government is ignoring its own scientific evidence and pushing forward with a policy that has repeatedly failed to deliver its stated aims.

It’s notable that farming-focused outlets such as FarmingUK and Farmers Weekly have reported on this development today. While both have historically supported the cull, their coverage of this latest revelation may signal to farmers that continuing the cull is neither defensible nor scientifically justified, particularly when Natural England’s own science team is urging it to stop.

So where does that leave us with the campaign (or should I say this endless war) to end the Badger cull? Well we’re now into day 25 of our wait for a debate in Parliament following our Govt petition to end the cull surpassing 100,000 signatures, we will of course update you on this as and when it is scheduled.

We are also soon to launch a new take action tool where you will be able to contact your local MP with a prewritten letter in a matter of seconds (similar to our end hunting tool which you can see here)

In terms of the legal challenges to the badger cull: the Badger Trust and Wild Justice have won permission for a full judicial review of the culls and are in the middle of this battle.

Of course here at Protect the Wild we will keep you fully up to date with all of the ways you can help protest this senseless destruction of an iconic British species.

Stay tuned as there will be lots to come in the following weeks! Together we will continue to expose and do everything we possibly can to help bring an end to the Badger cull once and for all.

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ADOPT A BADGER AND SUPPORT US FURTHER

At Protect the Wild we are campaigning against badger persecution and the ongoing badger cull.

• We have commissioned a series of powerful animations designed to highlight the cruelty and futility of the badger cull.

• Through our Equipment Fund we’re proud to have been providing trail cams and night vision optics to front-line groups taking direct action in the field to protect badgers.

• We’re syndicating the blog posts of the Badger Crowd – a team of specialised ecologists and scientists who focus on badgers and the cull.

• We created Protectors of the Wild, a free resource that looks in detail at the laws protecting badgers and other animals. Protectors explains what we can do if we see a wildlife crime taking place.

• And our Govt petition to end the Badger cull has passed 100k signatures - we’re now waiting for a debate to be scheduled in Parliament

By adopting a badger with Protect the Wild you will help fund our efforts to protect badgers and help expose wildlife crimes committed against wild badger populations.

As an adopter, not only will you be helping fund vital work, but you will also receive an exclusive Protect the Wild adoption pack including cuddly toy, glossy photo, and an information fact sheet.