Brighton forces government rethink on mass badger cull
10 July 2008
The Government has listened to concerns raised at Brighton and Hove City Council and has abandoned plans for a nationwide cull of badgers to try to prevent the spread of TB in cattle.
The move, which was announced on Monday, was welcomed by city councillor Ben Duncan, who proposed a Brighton and Hove badger culling ban earlier this year.
Ben Duncan, Queen’s Park councillor and the Green Party’s parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown (pictured left), said:
“After I was approached by the Sussex Badger Trust earlier this year, I proposed a ban of badger culling on land owned by Brighton and Hove Council, as culling badgers has been shown to be counterproductive and actually lead to more, not less, TB in cattle.
“Former Leader of the Council Brian Oxley agreed that the issue warranted more research and instructed officers to look further at the issue.
"Of especial importance was the need to protect one of Sussex’s remaining wild mammal populations - and the council - from the risks of breaching UK and international laws designed to protect wildlife.
“I am delighted the Government has listened to these arguments.
"I am glad they have made a brave decision that will be welcomed by all badger lovers – and potentially save farmers from the disaster that an increase in bovine TB cases would cause.”
Notes to editors:
Media: for more information please contact Lizzie Deane Green Party External Communications Coordinator on 07931 231390.[ENDS]
