Court of Appeal decision to halt killing of badgers welcomed by Greens

Jake Griffths, Leader of the Wales Green Party, welcomed the decision of the Court of Appeal to halt the killing of badgers by the Welsh Assembly Government in South West Wales. The case was taken to the Court of Appeal by the Badger Trust (1).

Jake Griffiths, Wales Green Party Leader, said: "The Court of Appeal decision to stop the killing of badgers is to be welcomed and supports those who have been arguing that there is no clear link between the spread of bovine TB and badgers. The weight of expert opinion continues to show that a badger cull is not the best way to control bovine TB in cattle herds. The Assembly's own studies have shown that a cull would be no more affective than a vaccination programme. We hope that the Welsh Assembly Government will now consider implementing a vaccination programme similar to that which has started to be implemented by DEFRA in parts of Gloustershire after a 10 year £11 million government funded development programme (2). I think it is important to pay thanks to the Badger Trust for the work that they have put into taking this forward to the Court of Appeal."

He continued: "The fight against bovine TB is incredibly important and agriculture continues to be the back bone of the welsh rural economy and it needs to be supported however an ineffectual costly badger cull will not help either.

For more information contact Sam Coates 075 3157 0056 or s.coates1@googlemail.com or Jake Griffiths on 07752754537.

ENDS

(1) http://www.nfbg.org.uk/_Attachments/Resources/407_S4.pdf

(2) http://www.fera.defra.gov.uk/news/documents/pressReleaseBadgerVaccineMar10.pdf