Cull may risk public safety
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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