24/03/2011

Welsh Assembly Members have voted in favour of plans for a highly controversial badger cull to go ahead in Wales’ Intensive Action Area in an attempt to control bovine tuberculosis.

The assembly voted yesterday on a motion brought by four Assembly Members from South Wales, who sought to block the proposed cull order. The motion was defeated by 42 votes to eight.

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones welcomed the result, which will allow the assembly government to proceed with the implementation of her Badger (Control Area) (Wales) Order 2011.

Despite the latest DEFRA figures showing a decline in bTB across Wales, Jones has rejected appeals by groups suggesting a culls is unnecessary and proposing alternatives, such as vaccination.  

Jones said, "I am satisfied that TB exists in badgers in the IAA and that it is being transmitted from badgers to cattle in the area. It is, therefore, necessary to destroy badgers in order to substantially reduce bovine TB in cattle and therefore it was appropriate for me to make the order."

The Badger Trust and campaign groups within the Intensive Action Area are currently raising funds to mount a legal challenge, a tactic that proved successful in overturning the last cull order.