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Badger Trust launch legal proceedings
Challenge to badger cull pilot program

The Badger Trust has informed the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) that it will pursue a legal challenge if DEFRA does not retract the decision to sanction two pilot culls of badger this autumn in an effort to reduce the transmission of Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB). DEFRA has until February 17th 2012 to respond.

David Williams, Chairman of the Badger Trust, has claimed that DEFRA have not addressed concerns that the cull could contribute towards the spread of disease. He also stated that the Trust believes such a cull to be unlawful. “If there is an opportunity to save many thousands of healthy badgers, as there is here, we must take it on behalf of the many local badger groups and supporters on whose behalf the Badger Trust works. If successful it would also save farmers the expense of a policy which would not benefit them.” he said. Mr Williams also confirmed that Badger Trust officials have personally met Ministers and have held 'several discussions'.

The Badger Trust's decision to launch legal proceedings was not an unexpected one. Farming Minister Jim Paice MP has consistently stated his belief that the Government fully expected a legal challenge to the policy of culling badgers and prepared legislation accordingly.

Mr Paice announced in January that two areas in West Gloucestershire and West Somerset had been designated as potential pilot cull areas. Groups of farmers in these areas can apply to Natural England for licences to cull badgers over areas of approximately 300 square kilometres. It is DEFRA's intention that the pilot programs will be monitored to determine the effectiveness, safety and humaneness of controlled shooting by trained marksmen.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.