Opposition to Badger Cull grows
A group of animal welfare charities including Care for the Wild International, the Badger Trust and the League Against Cruel Sports, the Shadow DEFRA Secretary Mary Creagh MP and broadcaster Bill Oddie have announced their support for Humane Society International (HSI) UK's decision to submit a formal complaint to the Bern Convention against the decision by the government to authorise proposed badger cull pilot programmes in West Gloucestershire and West Somerset.
HSI-UK argues that a cull would breach the Bern Convention on three counts: that it does not have legitimate purpose, that it threatens local badger populations, and that alternative strategies have not been adequately explored.
Commenting, Mr Oddie said “There is an appalling bloody-minded arrogance about the Government’s decision. Opposition to the cull is not based on sentimentality, but on the fact that a great deal of thorough research suggests that it won’t work.”
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
