Highly controversial Government plans to cull thousands of badgers are set to be delayed until next year, after further questions were raised over the cost and effectiveness of the scheme.
The Guardian have today reported that the last-minute delay is the result of a survey which revealed there were twice as many badgers as previously thought in West Somerset and West Gloucestershire (the areas where the cull was planned). This has drastically raised the cost of the cull, which farmers have claimed is necessary to tackle TB in cattle, despite fierce opposition from wildlife campaigners.
Shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh said, "The Government's handling of the badger cull has been incompetent and shambolic. Labour has warned the Government for two years that a cull was bad for farmers, bad for taxpayers and bad for wildlife, and it is right that it has been delayed."
The RSPCA, which has long campaigned against the cull, welcomed the delay but said it must be more than a temporary reprieve. The animal welfare charity's chief executive Gavin Grant said, "This is good news for badgers, cows, dairy farmers and animal-lovers alike. Hopefully it marks the beginning of the end for these unscientific, foolish and cruel plans to cull badgers. We welcome this postponement, but this must not be a temporary reprieve, but must mark an end to all cull plans."
He continued, "Science, the public and MPs from all parties have said very clearly that a cull is no answer to bovine TB. The RSPCA stands ready to play a full part working with farmers, land-owners, Government and conservationists to move forward rapidly and constructively to tackle this dire disease in cattle and wildlife."
