UK : Charities launch fresh badger cull court challenge

DEFRA has inisted its badger cull policy is compliant with the Bern Convention, after three wildlife charities filed a complaint about the policy to the European wildlife protection body.

Charities The Badger Trust, Humane Society International UK and Care for the Wild are adamant the cull is in breach of the Bern Convention, on the basis officials have failed to conduct sufficient risk assessments on the possible impacts of badger culling on the wider ecosystem.

The complaint, sent to the Secretariat of the Bern Convention, said the cull could have a negative impact on a huge range of other protected species such as ground-nesting and song birds and small mammals, caused by the removal of badgers. and the subsequent knock on effects within the ecosystem, and it is unnecessary.

A spokeswoman for Defra said: “Our policy was reviewed by the Bern Secretariat in 2012 and again earlier this year – and on both occasions they were satisfied that we complied with our obligations under the convention.”

Agencies/Canadajournal