11/06/10
Three Assembly Members have voiced their support for the suspension of a proposed badger cull in north Pembrokeshire. The cull was announced as part of the government’s plans to eradicate bovine TB in Wales but critics argue that previous culls have not been effective.
Joyce Watson, Lorraine Barrett and Peter Black have welcomed the decision by the government to wait for the outcome of an appeal against a judicial review which backed the cull. The Badger Trust, which took the legal action against the government, won the right to an appeal having argued that there is insufficient scientific evidence to justify the killing of badgers.
Joyce Watson AM said, ‘The decision to wait for the outcome of the appeal is sensible. Bovine TB is a very serious issue which affects the livelihoods of many and costs the Welsh government millions of pounds each year. If the cull is to go ahead, then all legal requirements should be met. I asked the Minister for Rural Affairs a question on this matter in the Assembly and she replied that the cull would continue until a judge ruled otherwise. I am pleased that the Minister has reconsidered this position so all the arguments can be made prior to a cull going ahead.’
Lorraine Barrett, Assembly Member for Cardiff South and Penarth, tabled a motion last year with Peter Black AM to have the order which gave the Minister permission to proceed with the cull annulled.
Ms Barrett commented, ‘The case for eradicating bovine TB through a badger cull has not been proven. I very much welcome the decision to suspend the cull which would kill thousands of innocent badgers irrespective of whether or not they were carrying the disease. The scientific research which has been carried out in other areas of the United Kingdom has shown that perturbation has meant that levels of bovine TB actually goes up in areas surrounding where a cull has taken place.’
Peter Black, Assembly Member for South Wales West said, ‘This delay will give everybody a chance to cool down and allow a proper examination of her decision by an independent court. I only hope that the appeal judge sees the sense of the Badger Trust’s case that a cull will not "eliminate or substantially reduce" the rate of TB infection. Ministers have a duty to weigh the harm to the badger population against the possible benefits to farmers. Like the Badger Trust I do not believe that they have done so and that is why this cull should be stopped permanently.”
