Legal challenge launched against badger cull licences
The new government has said that it plans to end badger culling.
A legal challenge against badger culling licences issued by Natural England has been launched by Badger Trust and Wild Justice.
The 26 supplementary licences, issued as part of measures to prevent the spread of bovine TB, were granted on 16 May 2024. The licences span the period from 1 June to 30 November.
Represented by the law firm Leigh Day, Badger Trust and Wild Justice have applied for a judicial review of the decision.
The wildlife groups argue that the licences were issued unlawfully against the scientific advice from Natural England’s own experts. The groups claim that the licences were granted to maintain the confidence of farmers rather than to prevent the spread of disease.
Last year saw a drop in bovine TB in England. The overall herd incidence rate of bovine TB in England was 7.5 between April 2023 and March 2024, a decrease of 0.2 compared to the previous 12 months. In the High Risk Area of England, the rate was 13.5, down from 14.1.
The new government, which was elected after the licences were granted, has said that it was elected on a mandate to end badger culling and intends to do so.
The government says that it is working with farmers and scientists on measures to eradicate the disease and plans to introduce a bovine TB eradication package that will include vaccination, herd management, and biosecurity measures.
Mark Avery, from Wild Justice, said: “The previous Conservative government leant on Natural England to approve these licences. Why would the new Labour government, which offered 'change' in its election manifesto, be prepared to defend that action in the courts?
“Not only is it not 'change', it's spending taxpayers' money on the previous government's flawed decisions.”
Both the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Natural England have said that they are unable to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.
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With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
