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Pilot badger culls postponed

Posted at October 24, 2012 | By : | Categories : News,Rural Business | Comments Off on Pilot badger culls postponed

Defra has agreed to postpone pilot badger culls in West Somerset and West Gloucestershire until Summer 2013.

The move follows a request from the National Farmers Union  following new survey results which revealed higher than expected badger numbers in the two areas.

The criteria for the two pilots include the need to remove a minimum of 70% of the local badger population, as scientific evidence suggests this is the level required to reduce bovine TB.

According to Environment Secretary, Owen Paterson, higher than expected numbers mean that farmers are not confident that so many badgers can be culled this late in the season.

However, the minister confirmed that the Government is determined to tackle bovine TB by all the means available and will continue to make plans with the NFU for the pilots to go ahead next year.

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