Questioning legality of proposed badger cull
In the article "Badgers digging up human bones" (Mercury, October 15), it was stated: "Under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, it is illegal to kill, injure or take a badger or interfere with a sett."
Last month the Government unveiled plans for a badger cull to stop the spread of bovine tuberculosis which it said would be concentrated in disease hotspots. Is there provision for such action in the Act?
Even if there is a loophole I suspect that a cull would not discriminate between badgers which are infected and those which are not. If disease-free badgers are killed would their deaths be illegal?
Elizabeth Allison, Aylestone.
2 Comments
by Peter, Wigston, Leicestershire
Thursday, October 21 2010, 12:45AM
“It's not the badgers that spread the disease. It's the farmers who bring in livestock and feed from all over the world who spread the disease to the locality including the wildlife. They then blame the badgers to cover up their own guilt.”
by Bob H, Leicester
Wednesday, October 20 2010, 11:20AM
“The answer is no.
The whole Act is available on line and clearly states:
Section 10
(2)A licence may be granted to any person by the appropriate Minister authorising him, notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Act, but subject to compliance with any conditions specified in the licence¿
(a)for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease, to kill or take badgers, or to interfere with a badger sett, within an area specified in the licence by any means so specified;
(b)for the purpose of preventing serious damage to land, crops, poultry or any other form of property, to kill or take badgers, or to interfere with a badger sett, within an area specified in the licence by any means so specified;
(c)for the purpose of any agricultural or forestry operation, to interfere with a badger sett within an area specified in the licence by any means so specified;
(d)for the purpose of any operation (whether by virtue of the M3Land Drainage Act 1991 or otherwise) to maintain or improve any existing watercourse or drainage works, or to construct new works required for the drainage of any land, including works for the purpose of defence against sea water or tidal water, to interfere with a badger sett within an area specified in the licence by any means so specified.”