Review ordered over badger cull
Saturday 21 April 2012
Related articles
A judicial review is to be held into the Government's decision to allow badgers to be killed in England to halt the spread of bovine TB.
While farmers and the Government have said a cull is necessary to tackle the disease, proposals to kill badgers - which are a protected species - have faced strong opposition from animal welfare and wildlife groups.
The Badger Trust challenged the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs's proposed cull, saying the move would not prevent the spread of the disease and could in fact increase the numbers of animals affected.
They also claimed that there was a significant cost risk to farmers, and that Defra's cost-impact assessment was "flawed". The third basis for their legal challenge is that Natural England should not have been given responsibility for issuing licences to cull, that function lying with the Environment Secretary.
A spokesman said: "Killing badgers is not one of Natural England's original functions, which are mainly focused on maintaining biodiversity."
Badger Trust's solicitor, Gwendolen Morgan of Bindmans LLP, said: "We are pleased that the court has given the Badger Trust's challenge the green light on all three grounds.
"The badger cull as proposed would make matters worse at great cost to farmers, badgers and rural communities."
No date has been set for the hearing, but the Badger Trust said it was likely to be held at London's High Court in June.
Defra would not comment specifically on the judicial review, citing legal reasons, but said: "Bovine TB is a chronic and devastating disease.
"It forced the slaughter of 25,000 cattle in 2010 alone, and is taking a terrible toll on our farmers and rural communities.
"Nobody wants to cull badgers. But no country in the world where wildlife carries TB has eradicated the disease in cattle without tackling it in wildlife too. We are investing in the development of usable vaccines but sadly these are still years away, and we have to take action now.
"Unless TB is effectively dealt with it will cost taxpayers around £1billion over the next 10 years."
PA
From the blogs
Nike kit deal puts England at No 2 in the world (but which country is top?)
As England’s new football strip – made by Nike – is revealed today, new research shows the English F...
The Photography Blog: ‘Control Order House’ by Edmund Clark – Photographing our response to terrorism
Recent events in Boston have served as a painful reminder of the threat posed by terrorism. In Contr...
Dish of the Day: 24 hour dining
When I was first in talks about this job, I was surprised to hear we were planning to open on the we...
Parachute Youth: Supporting Rudimental is not a clash of interests
I’ve not heard many bands that had quite the same kick as Pendulum did. Their unbelievable fusion of...
- 1 The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North
- 2 Austerity has hardened the nation's heart
- 3 Tottenham to smash pay scale with £150,000-a-week contract in attempt to tie Gareth Bale to club
- 4 The moral case on tax avoidance is overwhelming - and we all know Google wants to do the right thing
- 5 Sam Wallace: The second coming of Jose Mourinho at Chelsea will be a reunion that can only end in tears
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
iJobs General
SAP SD Consultant
£475 - £476 per day + negotiable: Progressive Recruitment: SAP SD Contract Con...
Maths Teacher- Reading
Negotiable: Randstad Education Reading: Our client in Sonning Common, is looki...
Science Teacher- Reading
Negotiable: Randstad Education Reading: Our client in Sonning Common, is looki...
Special Needs Teacher in Lewisham South London
£27000 - £55000 per annum: Randstad Education London: Supply special education...
The price of pacifism
Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond
Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?
Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'


Comments