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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 21st September 2012
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Cull may risk public safety
Police warn of clashes between protesters and armed farmers

Ministers at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) are being warned that clashes over the imminent badger cull may pose a risk to public safety.

The warnings came from police during consultations with DEFRA, due to concern that more than 57,000 people have signed an online petition to stop the cull.

Opponents say vaccinations are a better solution, though Natural England have already started issuing licences to farmers to begin shooting the protected animal in West Gloucestershire. Both the government and farmers say the cull is necessary in order to help eradicate bovine tuberculosis (bTB), which costs both parties millions each year.

DEFRA have faced numerous legal challenges against the culls over the past months, as well as an e-petition on the government website. Officers say this campaign is set to be the biggest animal rights protest since 2004, when fox hunting was banned.

National co-ordinator for domestic extremism at the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Detective chief superintendent Adrian Tudway, said: "Farmers and landowners culling badgers with firearms (of any description) has potential to place armed farm workers in the near vicinity of protesters and activists, typically during the night time; we regard this as a scenario with clear potential for harm to public safety."

He added that the impact of the recent funding cuts has reduced police resources to handle such issues.

Peter Charleston, staff officer responsible for wildlife crime at ACPO, said he is concerned widespread illegal killing of badgers will take place under the cover of culling.

A DEFRA spokesperson commented: "Only highly trained individuals will be licensed to cull badgers, and every licence application will have to meet strong safety requirements. Farmers and Natural England will also discuss these issues comprehensively with the local police force ahead of any activity taking place."

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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. 

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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.