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Operation relaunched to tackle crimes against badgers
“To this day, badgers remain among the most persecuted of all species despite having one of the highest levels of legal protection” – Craig Fellowes.
New short film produced to raise awareness.

The UK Badger Crime Priority Delivery Group (BCPDG) has relaunched Operation Badger to tackle crimes that harm badgers.

The initiative, which was relaunched on National Badger Day on 6 October, aims to raise awareness of criminal activities against badgers, such as illegal trapping, poisoning, badger baiting and sett disturbance, and encourage people to report them.

A UK-wide police operation, Operation Badger gathers evidence of badger persecution and identifies and targets offenders. The operation is overseen by the National Wildlife Crime Unit and is supported by police wildlife crime units, Badger Trust, Scottish Badgers, and local badger groups.

A new short film, narrated by wildlife television presenter Megan McCubbin, has been released alongside the operation's online information library.  

Operation Badger relies on members of the public to report suspected crimes and the library contains resources to help people identify and report crimes against badgers.

Craig Fellowes MBE, Badger Trust wildlife crime officer and trainer, said: “Badgers have a long history of cruelty and persecution in the UK, spanning hundreds of years. To this day, badgers remain among the most persecuted of all species despite having one of the highest levels of legal protection.

“It’s up to all of us to work together to protect our badgers and stand up for them to stop badger crime. This new Operation Badger short film and the resources in the information library explain how.”

The information library, along with the short film, can be accessed here.

Image © Shutterstock

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Prof Joanne Webster elected as Fellow of the Royal Society

News Story 1
 Joanne Webster, a professor of parasitic diseases at the RVC, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).

An infectious disease expert, Prof Webster is known for promoting a One Health approach to disease control.

She completed her doctoral research in zoonotic disease and parasite-host interactions, and has since earned widespread recognition for contributions to parasitology and global health.

Prof Webster said: "I am truly honoured, and somewhat stunned, to be recognised alongside such an exceptional group of scientists." 

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News Shorts
Germany FMD import restrictions eased

The UK government has lifted the import restrictions placed on FMD-susceptible commodities from Germany.

The decision comes after the country was recognised as foot-and-mouth disease free without vaccination on 14 May.

Imports of FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products from Germany were originally banned, after the country reported a case of FMD near Brandenburg in January. In March, the UK government permitted imports from outside of the outbreak zone.

Germany will now be able to import FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products into the UK, providing they meet other import conditions.

The decision follows rigorous technical assessment of measures in Germany. Defra says it will not hesitate respond to FMD outbreaks.