Breaking news from the Badger Trust
Labour issue Supplementary Badger Cull licences for 2025!
Natural England confirms second year of badger culling under 2024 Supplementary licences, challenged in upcoming court case by Badger Trust and Wild Justice.
In a shock move, Natural England has confirmed to Badger Trust and Wild Justice that they have authorised the second year of badger culling under the Supplementary cull licences first issued in 2024, the very licences now at the centre of our legal challenge, set to be heard in court this autumn.
Despite being subject to formal review, the licences valid until January 2026 have been reissued following the government’s decision to press ahead with the cull. We have today submitted an urgent request for the underlying documentation, including the scientific advice used to justify this decision.
On what grounds have these licences been issued? – Surely not to protect Natural England’s relationship with farmers again.
Has Natural England again ignored the advice of their Director of Science, Dr Peter Brotherton, and condemned thousands more badgers to death in the Labour government’s self-proclaimed ‘ineffective badger culls’?
Steve Reed has some explaining to do – Why continue a discredited policy? Why follow the failed footsteps of the previous government?
“This decision is utterly indefensible. The Government has chosen to authorise another year of badger culling in the face of a legal challenge, scientific opposition, and public outrage. They promised change, but instead, are doubling down on a failed policy that has decimated badger populations without effectively tackling bovine TB. The badger blame game must end now.” Nigel Palmer, Badger Trust CEO
Over 95% of bovine TB transmission is cattle-to-cattle, not badger-to-cattle. Let’s be clear: Vaccinating badgers is not a solution, and neither is mass killing. It’s time to stop scapegoating wildlife and start addressing the real drivers of bTB within the cattle industry.
Badger culling has had a devastating impact on Badger populations, 240,000 badgers being killed, 75% through inhumane free shooting.
Britain is already one of the most nature-depleted countries in Europe. At the same time, this government appears intent on destroying our native species through badger culling and by removing protections for species and habitats in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
#EndTheCull #EnoughIsEnough
