Shotguns will continue to be used in culls
The BVA has urged Defra not to permit the use of shotguns due to lack of evidence on their humaneness.
Shotguns will continue to be permitted during the badger culls this year, confirms Natural England, the organisation in charge of licensing.
In response to a freedom of information request, the organisation's bovine TB licensing unit, said: "The use of shotguns will continue to be permitted under licence during the pilots and, if shotguns are used, shooting will be closely monitored by Natural England staff."
Earlier this month, MP for North Cornwall Dan Rogerson confirmed badger culling will continue in Somerset and Gloucestershire later this year.
Pilot culls in the same areas last year failed to meet the target of removing 70 per cent of the badger population and the independent expert panel's (IEP) report ruled the pilots had failed on both humaneness and effectiveness.
Paragraph 6.2.1 of the report states: "The IEP is unable to comment on the humaneness of using shotguns in any subsequent roll-out, as there was insufficient relevant evidence from the pilot culls.
"It follows, therefore, that shotguns should not be included in any roll-out unless monitoring, of similar rigour rigour to that carried out in the pilot culls, provides evidence that controlled shooting with shotguns is humane and safe."
Following the IEP report, the BVA released a policy statement on culling last month. It states: "We urge Defra to confirm the use of shotguns for controlled shooting will no longer be permitted given the lack of evidence on their humaneness."
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
