CLA welcomes confirmation of badger control programme

The CLA today (14 December) welcomed the Government’s confirmation that it is to allow a badger control programme including two pilot badger culls in early autumn 2012 to tackle the spread of bovine TB (bTB).

CLA President Harry Cotterell said: “We are very pleased the Government has confirmed its intention to allow a badger control programme to begin in early autumn next year.

“Once again, the Government has shown it is completely committed to supporting the eradication of bovine TB. This dreadful disease will cost England more than 1billion over the next decade, with hundreds of thousands of cattle dying needlessly, if nothing is done.

“The CLA backs a controlled cull, carried out by farmers and landowners, as part of a science-led, well-managed and sustained bTB control policy. Badger culling, bTB testing, cattle movement control and removal and slaughter of infected animals are all essential tools to tackle the disease.”