Owen Paterson: Badger cull put on hold
Controversial plans to cull thousands of badgers to tackle tuberculosis in cattle are to be delayed until next summer, it was announced this afternoon.
Environment Secretary and Shropshire MP Owen Paterson told MPs that culling was originally delayed by the Olympics and legal proceedings.
He said it was now delayed by bad weather and the news that there were more badgers in the cull areas than previously estimated.
As a result, farmers could not be confident they could cull enough badgers this year and two pilot culls that were due to start imminently will now take place next summer.
Mr Paterson insisted the Government remained committed to the policy of culling, which he said he was 'utterly convinced' was the right thing to do.
Speaking as Queen guitarist and campaigner against the cull Brian May listened in the House of Commons, Mr Paterson said the science showed that at least 70 per cent of badgers must be removed from an area for there to be a reduction in TB in cattle.
Last week it emerged there were many more badgers in the two areas than previously estimated, with some 3,600 in the West Gloucestershire area and 4,300 in West Somerset.
"Despite a greatly increased effort over the last few days and weeks, the farmers delivering this policy have concluded that they cannot be confident that it will be possible to remove enough badgers based on these higher numbers and considering the lateness of the season," Mr Paterson said.
"It would be wrong to go ahead if those on the ground cannot be confident of removing at least 70 per cent of the populations."