Badger cull a step closer in Welsh TB eradication plan

However, though legislation has been laid down giving the Welsh Assembly power to take such steps, any badger cull looks unlikely before the spring.

Following consideration of responses to a 14-week public consultation, Welsh Assembly Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, laid down the TB Eradication (Wales) Order 2009 today (Wednesday, September 30).

The Minister stressed the legislation did not, in itself, mean the start of a badger cull but that an important part of the preparatory work is now complete.

Work on environmental considerations and defining the area is also underway.

The move was given full industry backing, with Dai Davies, NFU Cymru president saying it would ‘put in place another part of the framework necessary to implement a successful eradication strategy’.

Brian Walters, TB spokesman for the Farmers Union of Wales welcomed the order as ‘a crucial step towards bovine TB eradication’.

While the order comes into force within 21 days there is, however, provision that permits any Assembly Member to call it in and seek support for an amendment - something the Minister accepted could well happen.

But even without this delay given the timing of the legislative powers, the fact that work to determine the boundaries of the targeted North Pembrokeshire action area are still on-going and the shorter daytime hours, any start on culling is now highly unlikely before the end of the year.

Then, with a closed season running from January to early April because of the dangers of young badgers being left to fend for themselves without parents, mid to the end of April will probably be the earliest start date.

While she also accepted there could be a legal challenge from wildlife organisations - a matter which she said was ‘down to them’ - what the Minister has made clear is her determination to eradicate the disease.

“Following the consultation on legal powers, and consideration of the responses submitted, I am still of the view that a badger cull in an intensive action pilot area is necessary as part of our programme to eradicate bovine TB,” she said.

“I have always said that any cull of badgers could only go ahead when all the preparatory work is complete.

“This Order is an important step towards completing that work, providing the necessary legal powers for a Welsh Assembly Government managed cull.”

● Further details and reactions in Page 2.

Have your say

Please do not complete the following form field for security reasons.

Name

E-mail

Comment

Post as

Anonymously

Display name