Natural England Pressured Ahead Of Proposed Cull

UK - The National Beef Association (NBA) has pledged to keep pressure on Natural England regarding its apparent lack of enthusiasm to grant licences to people volunteering to participate in the proposed Defra badger cull.

9 September 2011

2 minute read

Europe

Following its call last week for Animal Health to replace Natural England as the licensing authority and coordinator of the cull, the NBA met with Defra to explore options.

It is apparent any change would create delays and so the NBA, not wanting to prolong things at this late stage, has instead vowed to keep pressure on Natural England and ask that a strong working relationship be formed between Natural England and Animal Health.

The NBA remains concerned that Natural England does not want to be seen as approving a badger cull and that too many within the organisation are willing the pilot scheme to fail.

This is why the Association met with Defra and explained their reservations about Natural England’s current stance. The NBA is also presenting their concerns to Jim Paice and Caroline Spelman in a joint letter asking that they deal with the issues within Natural England.

The letter will outline concerns that Natural England is pursuing a policy of deterring farmers from volunteering their land. It will request that Jim Paice and Caroline Spelman address this and ask for assurances that Natural England will engage in the process and acknowledge a pilot cull could potentially find a solution to rid both badgers and cattle of the scourge of TB.

The NBA will also outline the importance of Animal Health being involved and working alongside Natural England.

Kim Haywood, director of the National Beef Association, says: “It is absolutely critical that Animal Health is involved and that their expert advisors play a role. The two bodies must work together to ensure the proposed badger cull works and the incidence of TB in cattle and wildlife in this country is reduced.”