1,050 farmers unite in badger cull

Ahead of Food and Farming minister Jeff Rooker’s decision on licensed badger culling later this month, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and National Beef Association have brought together 1,050 West Country farmers to demonstrate their commitment in a petition to a culling policy on their land in a bid to control bovine tuberculosis (TB).

The organisations gathered enough farmers to cover more than 70 per cent of the proposed culling zone in Devon and Cornwall. It is expected Mr Rooker will make the announcement as to whether licensed culling will go ahead during his appearance in front of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee on 24 October.

The response from farmers, according to NFU deputy president Meurig Raymond, has been unbelievable. He commented: “We are trying to put together a template to show the Government and the EFRA committee we as an industry are serious about managing a wildlife cull.” Tim Bonner, of the Countryside Alliance, told Shooting Times.

The rest of the article will appear in the 18 October issue of Shooting Times.