Defra lawyers defend decision
The High Court Judicial Review into sanctioning two pilot badger culls in England was met with a robust defence by Defra lawyers yesterday in the second day of proceedings.
The opening day of the review (Monday 25 June) was dominated by arguments over whether the cull would prevent the spread of bovine TB (bTB) or whether it could potentially worsen the current situation.
David Wolfe QC, counsel for the Badger Trust, has said the legislation Defra is deploying states that licences can be issued to cull badgers ‘for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease’. However, he continued by explaining that Defra has justified the policy by saying its purpose was to ‘reduce the incidence of bTB in cattle in the areas where badger control measures are being applied.’
Nigel Pleming QC, counsel for Defra, has dismissed this argument. Mr Pleming stated the purpose of the badger cull policy "couldn’t be clearer" and “it is to prevent the spread of disease after years of failure.” He said Defra had not seen the need to make a distinction between the purpose of reducing bTB already in the area and prevent the spread of the disease.
Livestock keepers are being urged to stay vigilant for Bluetongue (BTV-3) following confirmation of the disease in a ewe. The case, confirmed in Staffordshire on 23 June 2026, represents the first confirmed case of infection this summer.
