Debate to take place next Thursday

An open debate on the badger cull is due to take place in the House of Commons next week. The debate, to be held on Thursday 25th October 2012, comes after over 157,000 people signed a Government e-petition against the cull.

The RSPCA has expressed its delight that a debate is to take place, and has called for the culls to be suspended until after the debate's verdict. The welfare charity believes that other measures including vaccination of cattle and/or badgers, increased levels of bovine TB testing, improved biosecurity and stricter controls on the movement of cattle should be employed instead of a cull.

RSPCA chief executive Gavin Grant said: "We welcome this debate with open arms and hope finally there will be a chance for the badgers' voices to be heard."

He added: "This cull is a huge mistake and in persisting along this misguided path the Government is ignoring both science and the public - who could not have made their feelings clearer. Let's hope this debate gives us a chance to put a stop to this slaughter once and for all."

Defra, however, insist a cull is needed as "no country in the world where wildlife carries TB has successfully controlled the disease in cattle without tackling its presence in wildlife as well."

More information on the badger cull can be found on the Defra website.