22/03/2011

Four Welsh Assembly Members have challenged the proposed badger cull in Wales’ intensive action area, while Non-governmental organisations have pledged to fight the ban through boycotts and legal action.

The four AMs tabled a motion calling for the scrapping of Ellin Jones’ order of 9^th March, which authorised the cull as a bovine TB control measure. The motion will be subject to debate and then voted on in the Welsh Assembly tomorrow (23^rd March). Two of the AMs, Peter Black (Lib Dem) and Lorraine Barnett (Labour) also attempted to block cull proposals in November 2009.

The Welsh politicians’ resistance came as VIVA (Vegetarians International Voice for Animals) announced in a statement that over 2000 people have pledged to boycott Welsh dairy products should the cull go ahead. The Welsh Assembly Government’s public consultations revealed opponents to a cull outnumbered supporters by four to one. Many believe that in light of upcoming Welsh Assembly elections this could affect the outcome of tomorrow’s vote.

Furthermore, on Friday (18^th March) the Badger Trust published an open letter requesting Welsh AMs vote to oust the Rural Affair’s Secretary’s Order tomorrow. A campaign group from within the Intensive Action Area, PAC (Pembrokeshire Against the Cull), have also publicly opposed the plans; the group’s spokesperson Dr Gavin Wheeler told journalists, “The stricter testing regime and improved cattle control measures introduced by the Assembly Government are having a major impact in reducing the number of cattle being slaughtered due to bTB. This is a clear downward trend which should not be put at risk by a badger cull which we believe could cause an increase in bTB cases in our area.”

Defra stats show drop in bTB in Wales

 The latest Defra statistics show incidences of bTB have not abated in England, however in Wales figures show a decline of almost 200 infections; a 45% reduction in numbers of cattle slaughtered. Campaigners opposed to a badger cull say these figures reveal that movement restrictions are working, and a cull is therefore unnecessary. PAC also claim trial vaccinations of badgers have shown promising results.

PAC and the Badger Trust are currently raising money for a legal fund, which they say will go towards mounting a legal challenge to the proposals. Court action by the Badger Trust saw proposed culls derailed in November 2009 and July 2010.