Defra chief Caroline Spelman or Farming Minister Jim Paice are expected to make an announcement this week or early next week, before the Parliamentary recess on the 21st December, on whether trail badger culls will be permitted to go ahead in England. Sources close to Defra have said an announcement will be made on Thursday (15th December).

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Last week, Wales’ First Minister, Carwyn Jones, announced that a decision over a cull in Wales would be postponed until the New Year. This angered many in the Welsh farming community, as Environment Minister John Griffiths had previously assured that a decision could be expected before Christmas.

However, the Badger Trust welcomed the announcement, stating that the government must be allowed time to review the findings of its scientists, if its final decision is to be science-led. Badger Trust Chair David Williams said, "It is important that ministers take time to consider carefully the independent panel's review of the science, without any further strident political interference."

Williams went on to insist that strict cattle-based measures in Wales are proving highly effectual. He recommended the Welsh government "should also consider the encouraging TB figures from the intensive action area of Pembrokeshire, which show the benefit of the stringent cattle-based controls now operating there. At the very least, this process must be allowed to run its course."

In England, the Badger Trust and NFU have begun to work together on a badger-vaccination programme in trial areas in the Midlands.

Although cull proposals remain extremely controversial, with many questioning the value for money to farmers of the plans, humaneness of the free-shooting method and overall impact on bovine TB incidences killing badgers would have, the government is expected to give plans the go ahead.

During the consultation period for cull proposals this autumn, Natural England, the government body responsible for distributing cull licenses, raised several criticisms of the plans and expressed doubt that the proposals would deliver the results promised by Defra.

Home secretary Theresa May and high level police officers have also claimed a cull, which would run concurrently with major policing events such as the 2012 Olympics and G8 summit in 2013, could overstretch police resources. Police have warned that confrontations between animal rights activists and armed markspeople present "clear potential for harm to public safety" and said the current proposals risk "pitting farmers against activists."

If trial culls are announced, they are expected to be conducted in the South West, where bTB is an acute problem. The disease is the UK most significant endemic animal health problem. In 2010, 25,000 cattle were slaughtered for TB control in England.

A decision is expected this week on whether a badger cull willl go ahead in England

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